Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of US technology company Apple, has died at the age of 56.
Apple said his “brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve”.
Steve Jobs 1955-2011
Life of Steve Jobs:
Born in San Francisco in Feb 1955 to university students Joanne Schieble and Syrian-born Abdulfattah Jandali
Adopted as a baby by a Californian working class couple
Had a summer job at Hewlett-Packard while at school – later worked at Atari
Dropped out of college after six months and went travelling in India, where he became a Buddhist
Launched Apple with school friend Steve Wozniak in 1976 and the first Apple computer the same year
Left Apple amid disputes in 1985 but returned in 1996 and became CEO in 1997
Bought Pixar animation company in 1986 for $10m
Married in a Buddhist ceremony in 1991 – has three children with his wife and a daughter from a previous relationship
Had a personal wealth estimated at $8.3bn (£5.4bn) in 2010
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, and after three periods of sickness leave, resigns as Apple CEO in August 2011
