Tim Cook sends memo to Apple workers about passing of Steve Jobs

Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs died Wednesday at the age of 56. Jobs' successor, Tim Cook, delivered the sad news in an email to Apple employees, referring to Jobs a "visionary and creative genius."

Here's the full text of the note:

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.

Tim 

Apple has not provided additional details about Jobs' death, aside from Cook's email, but it's no secret that Jobs battled health problems for several years. He took his second medical leave of absence from the company in January, and in August, he stepped aside from his post at the helm of the company.  

Jobs brought Apple back from the brink of failure in the late 90s when he returned as CEO to the company he helped found in 1976. During his tenure at Apple, he innovated such groundbreaking products as the iPod, the MacBook, the iPad, and the iPhone, to name a few. In fact, it's likely he was involved in some capacity in the development of Apple's most recent product, the iPhone 4S.