Steve Jobs, Technology Pioneer, Dies at 56; Mourned by Apple and the World

People around the world mourned the loss of Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple and its former CEO, after he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday afternoon. He was 56.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," read a statement by Apple's board of directors. "Steve's 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. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

Jobs was the mastermind behind Apple, and its revolutionary collection of personal electronics like the iPhone, iPod and iPad. He will be remembered as a pioneer and visionary in the technology world.

He started Apple at the age of 20, with childhood friend, Steve Wozniak. Together, they created and marketed the world's first "personal computer," the Apple II. After a very public power struggle with Apple's Board of Directors in 1985, Jobs left the company and founded NeXT, a computer platform development company that Apple subsequently bought out in 1996, reintroducing Jobs to the Apple name. He served as CEO from 1997 until his resignation on August 25, 2011.

"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," he said in his resignation letter. "Unfortunately, that day has come."

Jobs also co-founded and was the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios, which created Toy Story, the first ever feature film to be made entirely with CGI technology.

A statement released by Apple after the announcement of Jobs' death reads:

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. 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."

Jobs had been publicly ailing since 2004, when he announced that he had pancreatic cancer. In 2009, he received a liver transplant.