With the passing of Steve Jobs, the man who co-founded Apple — one of the world’s most popular and richest companies — and helped make Disney’s Pixar into what it is today, the world has lost an inspiring innovator, and not only that, but an amazing person. He was 56 years old.

In a statement released by Apple, Mr. Jobs’ family said he “died peacefully today surrounded by his family.”

Below are several statements from key figures in the tech/Internet industry:

Apple’s statement to customers:

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 only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

Here’s the statement from Jobs’ family:

Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.

In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.

Here’s another statement from President Barack Obama:

Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.

By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity.  By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun.  And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last.  Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.

The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.

And here’s the memo sent to staff from Jobs’ successor and Apple CEO Tim Cook:

Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

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.

We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

And here’s another statement from Microsoft co-founder (and Jobs’ former rival) Bill Gates:

I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work. 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. I will miss Steve immensely.

And do you want to know what Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had to say about Steve Jobs? Read below:

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.

A statement from Lance Armstrong, who survived testicular cancer:

Devastated [to] hear about the passing of Steve Jobs. Was blessed [to] have the opportunity to spend time with him on several occasions. May he RIP. “A computer is the most remarkable tool that we’ve ever come up with. It’s a bicycle for our minds” – Steve Jobs

AOL Co-Founder Steve Case had this to say:

I feel honored to have known Steve Jobs. He was the most innovative entrepreneur of our generation. His legacy will live on for the ages.

Here’s a statement from Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, where Jobs was a member of the board:

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. With his passing the world has lost a rare original, Disney has lost a member of our family, and I have lost a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time.

And a statement from Google co-founder Sergey Brin:

From the earliest days of Google, whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership, we needed to look no farther than Cupertino. Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product (including the macbook I am writing this on right now). And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met.  On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much. My condolences to family, friends, and colleagues at Apple.

And another statement from Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page:

I am very, very sad to hear the news about Steve. 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. He was very kind to reach out to me as I became CEO of Google and spend time offering his advice and knowledge even though he was not at all well. My thoughts and Google’s are with his family and the whole Apple family.

Below are statements from celebrities:

Arnold Schwarzenegger:

“Steve lived the California Dream every day of his life and he changed the world and inspired all of us. #ThankYouSteve”

Jane Lynch:

“We will miss you, Steve Jobs. Sent lovingly from my iPhone.”

Paris Hilton:

“So sad to hear about Steve Jobs. He was a genius and one of the most innovative people on earth. He changed the world in so many ways. RIP.”

Jimmy Fallon:

“Thank you, Steve Jobs, for all of the fun and amazing ways you made our lives better….Sent from my iPhone.”

Eva Longoria:

“My heart goes out for the family of Steve Jobs. What an inspiration he was to us all and a creative visionary for the world! You will be missed.”

Ashton Kutcher:

“We have all surfed on the wake of Steve Jobs ship. Now we must learn to sail, but we will never forget our skipper.”

Ricky Martin:

“Where is the excitement gonna come from. We won’t see another you in this lifetime. Thank you for everything Steve!”

LeAnn Rimes:

“RIP Steve Jobs…..what an innovator. This world will miss him.”

Questlove of the Roots:

“Adopted. DropOut. FontLover. LSDlover. Dreamer. Innovator. Fired from his own Apple 1ce. Pixarlogist. 338 PATENTS! philanthropist. #JOBS.”

Swizz Beatz:

“RIPS STEVE JOBS THE GREAT! HE CHANGED OUR WORLD IN MANY WAYS NOW HE IS GOING 2 ANOTHER WORLD OF GREATNESS I GUESS HE GRADUATED WITH HONORS.”

Nicki Minaj:

“Contributed so much to this generation & beyond. RIP Steve Jobs.”

Russell Simmons:

“Steve Jobs was a prophet of that uniquely American genius, the Creative Entrepreneur — something no one can copy, no one can outsource, no banker can hire — a visionary who created a movement that changed generations through painstaking tenacity, even after he was fired in 1985 from the company he founded for thinking too far forward.

“He gambled everything, over and over, on his vision. We owe him not just our respect and our love, but also we need to take away the lesson: never give up, never compromise your dream, never forget how you can change the world in this incredible country. This is what hip-hop has always been about. Never giving up. I can give him no greater a tribute than quoting him to the GlobalGrind generation: “Your time on this earth is limited, don’t live someone else’s life, live by your vision.”

As you can tell by the statements from the many statements above … Steve Jobs was known and respected by a wide variety of people from different walks of life, further proving his position as a world renown innovator and creator.

He will be greatly missed.

Be the first to receive breaking news alerts and more stories like this by subscribing to our mailing list.