STEVE JOBS has died! - Apple co-founder and former CEO

The homepage of Apple's website last October 5, 2011 switched to a full-page image of Jobs with the text, "Steve Jobs 1955-2011”. Jobs passed away on October 5, just one day after the debut of the next generation iPhone. Apple announced his death without giving a specific cause. He died peacefully, according to a statement from family members who said they were present during his death. Shortly after learning of Jobs' death, Wozniak told ABC News, "I'm shocked and disturbed”. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. "Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple." - Cook wrote in an email to Apple's employees.

In 2004, he beat back an unusual form of pancreatic cancer, and in 2009 it was revealed that he had gone quietly to a Memphis hospital for a liver transplant.  In January 2009, after he announced his second medical leave, Apple stock dropped to $78.20 per share. But it quickly recovered and became one of the most successful stocks on Wall Street. On one day in the summer of 2011, with the stock hitting the $400 level, Apple briefly passed ExxonMobil as the world's most valuable company.

Sources said “members of Apple's board of directors had to persuade him to disclose more about his health as a fiduciary issue interwoven with the health of the company”. After several years of failing health, Jobs announced on Aug. 24, 2011 that he was stepping down as Apple's chief executive.  Jobs said "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know." Jobs wrote in his letter of resignation. "Unfortunately, that day has come." Before resigning as CEO six weeks ago, Jobs became Apple's chairman and handed the CEO jobs over to his hand-picked successor, Tim Cook.

Analysts said Apple performed well during Jobs' absence, partly because he was available for big decisions and partly because his chief lieutenant, Tim Cook, was the hands-on manager even when Jobs was there.

Jobs remained stubbornly private about his personal life, refusing interviews and shielding his wife and their children from public view. He was so successful at keeping the details of his life out of the celebrity pages that a Pew poll in June 2010 found that only 41 percent of Americans correctly identified Jobs as head of Apple. A CBS poll that year concluded that 69 percent of Americans didn't know enough about Jobs. "He's never been a media person," said industry analyst Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, after Jobs resigned.