Steve Jobs's core of steel: Apple boss's brave cancer battle (and how his company kept it secret for so long)
In his final days he was a frail shadow of his former self, his body ravaged by the cancer which was to eventually cost him his life.
But the steely courage of Steve Jobs never wavered. He made no public statement about his devastating illness yet his determination to stay at work as long as he could and stay alive for his family needed no explanation.
In the end he died peacefully surrounded by the people he loved. He leaves a wife Laurene with whom he has three children Reed Paul, Erin Sienna and Eve.
He also has a daughter Lisa Brennan Jobs who was born when he was just 23.
疑似乔布斯生前最后一张被外界所见的照片于8月26日首次在网络上公开。Steve Jobs is helped into a wheelchair from his car by a nurse outside his Silicon Valley home on September 27 - and with a friend buying provisions the previous day
The last picture: Wife Laurene and son Reed, 20, with frail Jobs - as he disappears into his home never to be seen in public again
Jobs's family released a statement last night, confirming his death. 'In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family,' they said.
'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.'
The Apple founder was first diagnosed with cancer in 2003 - but his condition was not made public until the following year.
From the very start, both the deeply private Jobs and the company kept the details of his sickness as vague as possible.
When he finally made a statement, he confirmed that he had been sick but had undergone surgery and was cured.
He enjoyed four years of health there was fresh speculation that he was sick again. His appearance prompted some to believe that he was in fact seriously ill. But there was no comment from Jobs - and the only word from Apple was that his health was 'a private matter.'
Friends hug at the gates of the home before going in to pay their respects while a neighbour Apolline Arnaud, 12, adds her name to the sidewalk of tribute messages in front of the house
The rumour mill rumbled on. Bloomberg accidentally published an obituary prompting an online furore.
8月27日，乔布斯爱女Erin Sienna与Eve
8月27日，乔布斯妻子Laurene
8月27日，乔布斯爱子Reed。
