Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who started the software giant with Bill Gates in the 1970s, has died, his family has confirmed in a statement.
The technology entrepreneur, who played a huge role in the dawn of the home computing era, had been suffering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He died in Seattle, WA, the family said in the statement.
Allen’s sister Judy wrote: “While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much-loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend. Paul’s family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern,”
“For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends. At this time of loss and grief for us – and so many others – we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day.”
Allen, who is also the owner of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, went public with his diagnosis earlier this month, a reoccurrence of the illness he first battled in 2009. His initial battle with cancer caused him to leave the company he founded back in 1983.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was among the first to pay tribute to Allen’s impact. In a statement posted on Microsoft’s official Twitter account, Nadella heralded the “indispensable” contributions to the industry.
Statement from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the passing of Paul Allen: pic.twitter.com/1iLDLenLKz
— Microsoft (@Microsoft) October 15, 2018
Google and Apple CEOs Sundar Pichai and Tim Cook were also among the tech luminaries paying respects to Allen soon after news of his passing broke.
Pichai called Allen “a great technology pioneer,” while Cook lamented the loss of a “force for good in the world.” Both paid tributes to Allen’s philanthropic work.
We lost a great technology pioneer today – thank you Paul Allen for your immense contributions to the world through your work and your philanthropy. Thoughts are with his family and the entire Microsoft community.
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) October 15, 2018
Our industry has lost a pioneer and our world has lost a force for good. We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s friends, the Allen family and everyone at Microsoft.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 15, 2018
Allen’s Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is yet to publicly address Allen’s passing with a statement, but earlier in this week backed his former partner to win his latest battle with illness.
On October 1, after publicly announcing his illness, Allen wrote: “I’ve begun treatment & my doctors are optimistic that I will see a good result. Appreciate the support I’ve received & count on it as I fight this challenge.”
This is a developing story…
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
