Steve Jobs Dead: Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg Pay Tribute to Apple Founder
Following the death of Apple Inc.’s co-founder Steve Jobs, business celebrities, many of whom Jobs made collaborations with, have gone public in offering their tributes, describing him as “one of the most innovative people of our time.”
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook Founder and CEO, wrote on Facebook: "Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”
Bill Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microsoft, said in a statement, "Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor."
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John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Ed Catmull, president of both studios, “Steve Jobs was an extraordinary visionary, our very dear friend and the guiding light of the Pixar family. He saw the potential of what Pixar could be before the rest of us, and beyond what anyone ever imagined. Steve took a chance on us and believed in our crazy dream of making computer-animated films; the one thing he always said was to simply 'make it great.' He is why Pixar turned out the way we did, and his strength, integrity and love of life has made us all better people. He will forever be a part of Pixar’s DNA. Our hearts go out to his wife, Laurene, and their children during this incredibly difficult time.”
Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft said, "We've lost a unique tech pioneer and auteur who knew how to make amazingly great products. Steve fought a long battle against tough odds in a very brave way. He kept doing amazing things in the face of all that adversity. As someone who has had his own medical challenges, I couldn't help but be encouraged by how he persevered."
Bob Igen, CEO of Walt Disney Co., said, "Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an 'original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started."
Larry Page, CEO of Google, said on Google +, "He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me."
Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Inc., said, "Today the world lost a visionary leader, the technology industry lost an iconic legend and I lost a friend and fellow founder. The legacy of Steve Jobs will be remembered for generations to come."
Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter, wrote on Twitter, "Once in a rare while, somebody comes along who doesn't just raise the bar, they create an entirely new standard of measurement. #RIPSteveJobs."
Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor, posted on Twitter, "Steve lived the California Dream every day of his life and he changed the world and inspired all of us."
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York, said, “Steve Jobs was a genius who will be remembered with Edison and Einstein. His ideas will shape the world for generations.”
