Microsoft's Gates, Disney's Iger & Obama comment on passing of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs passed away, leaving us his brilliant ideas and legacy. He literally created his own chapter of the IT industry history. Following his death, a number of simple people have extended their sincere condolences and the most powerful and influential people in the world have commented on his passing, among them Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Disney President Bob Iger, and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Microsoft co-founder 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…

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."

Disney President Bob Iger

"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…

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..."

U.S. 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... 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…

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt

"Steve Jobs is the most successful CEO in the U.S. of the last 25 years. He uniquely combined an artists touch and an engineers vision to build an extraordinary company… one of the greatest American leaders in history."

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

"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."

Former Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz

"It’s the ultimate sadness. First of all, it’s a young person who was revered, sometimes feared, but always revered. In a way, it’s kind of prophetic; everyone was hoping he could be on stage yesterday” during Apple’s iPhone announcement. "He was a very special person... He got to where he was because he had a vision and a purpose. It’s easy to try and please everyone, but he kept to his principles."

Arnold Schwarzenegger

"Steve lived the California Dream every day of his life and he changed the world and inspired all of us."