Here's how Silicon Valley leaders reacted to the death of ex-Intel CEO Andy Grove
(Anne Knudsen/Getty Images)
Andy Grove, Intel's former CEO, died on Monday at the age of 79. The exact cause of his death was not disclosed, but he's been battling Parkinson's disease for years.
Intel announced his death in a statement.
Grove was Intel's first hire in 1968 and played an instrumental role in taking the company from a scrappy startup to the most powerful chipmaker in the world.
His leadership at Intel spans nearly 40 years, being named the company's president in 1979 and CEO in 1987. He remained as the company's chairman until 2004.
It was under Grove's watch that Intel formed the famous "Wintel" duopoly with Microsoft that dominated the PC market. Intel increased annual revenues from $1.9 billion to more than $26 billion under Grove's management.
But it's Grove's relentless work ethic and bruising management style that have earned the respect of many followers. Steve Jobs used to call Grove his mentor, while Marc Andreessen often says that Grove's the man who built Silicon Valley.
His book, "Only the Paranoid Survive," is still considered a must-read management book by many business leaders.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Intel Chairman and CEO Andy Grove. Andy made the impossible happen, time and again, and inspired generations of technologists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders," Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said in a statement.
Here's what people are saying about Grove's death:
I’m sad to hear that Andy Grove has died. I loved working with him. He was one of the great business leaders of the 20th century.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) March 22, 2016
Andy Grove was one of the giants of the technology world. He loved our country and epitomized America at its best. Rest in peace.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 22, 2016
RIP Andy Grove. The best company builder Silicon Valley has ever seen, and likely will ever see.
— Marc Andreessen (@pmarca) March 22, 2016
1/ Last night Silicon Valley (and the world) lost a titan and freedom fighter. Andy Grove lived the maxim "execution is everything."
— John Doerr (@johndoerr) March 22, 2016
You know what would be cool? Moment of silence at start of YC Demo Day tomorrow to acknowledge Andy Grove.
— Hunter Walk (@hunterwalk) March 22, 2016
Andy Grove, RIP. Thank you for inspiring all of us who are immigrant founders. Your plain talk will be missed. https://t.co/hfE4cLwxQu
— Om Malik (@om) March 22, 2016
We stand on the shoulders of giants in our work--none bigger than Andy Grove (1936-2016). You'll be greatly missed. https://t.co/5cxDY92Ah5
— Brian Krzanich (@bkrunner) March 22, 2016
Shedding a few tears tonight for my hero and the best CEO and teacher I have ever known. Goodbye Andy. I love you. https://t.co/a4BoDq2RH3
— Ben Horowitz (@bhorowitz) March 22, 2016
Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Andy Grove, former CEO of @intel. A tremendous positive force on our industry & community.
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) March 22, 2016
Remembering Andy Grove, one of the greatest ever. Teacher, Friend, Leader. Told it like it was and made it happen. pic.twitter.com/2bqIYrW9z4
— Michael Dell (@MichaelDell) March 22, 2016
RIP Andy Grove, took @intel & its microprocessors to the top, and kept them there: https://t.co/qLDddEDlhe
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) March 22, 2016
Andy Grove was one of my heroes. A complete intellectual, organizational and technical genius. #RIP #TITAN #GOAT https://t.co/0WkZiXruXA
— Chamath Palihapitiya (@chamath) March 22, 2016
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