Steve Jobs: Cause of Death, Will, Personal Habits & Legacy

Steve Jobs shaped the way we compute, listen to music, and talk on the phone. But after his death in 2011, questions about his final words, his inherited fortune, and why he reportedly didn’t shower became nearly as famous as his products. This article separates confirmed facts from enduring mysteries.

Born: February 24, 1955 ·
Died: October 5, 2011 ·
Net worth at death: ~$10.2 billion ·
Cause of death: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor ·
Spouse: Laurene Powell Jobs ·
Children: 3

Eight key facts about Steve Jobs, from birth to death:

What Was the Cause of Death for Steve Jobs?

Steve Jobs died on October 5, 2011 at age 56 from respiratory arrest caused by a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) — a rare form of pancreatic cancer, not the more common adenocarcinoma. According to PubMed Central (medical research database), the tumor was an islet cell tumor or gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NET). Jobs had been diagnosed in 2003 and underwent surgery in 2004 to remove the tumor, then received a liver transplant in 2009. He resigned as CEO of Apple in August 2011, just two months before his death.

The implication: Jobs faced a rare, slow-growing cancer that might have been manageable with early conventional treatment, but his initial choice to pursue alternative medicine likely reduced his odds.

What did Steve Jobs say before he died?

• According to his sister Mona Simpson in her eulogy, Jobs’ last words were “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.” — reported by Wikipedia.
• Other accounts, including biographer Walter Isaacson, note that Jobs died peacefully without a clear final statement.

What happened when Steve Jobs died?

• He died at home in Palo Alto, California, with his wife Laurene, his children, and his sisters at his side (Wikipedia).
• News of his death triggered global tributes and a sudden drop in Apple stock.

Who Did Steve Jobs Leave His Money To?

Jobs left the majority of his fortune to his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs. His net worth at death was approximately $10.2 billion, according to EBSCO. He also provided for his three children — Lisa Brennan-Jobs, Reed Jobs, and Erin Jobs — though the exact distribution has not been made public. Laurene Powell Jobs’ net worth has since grown to an estimated $12 billion through smart investments and her Emerson Collective organization.

The catch: Jobs famously kept his estate planning private, but his wife inherited the bulk, making her one of the wealthiest women in the world.

How much is Steve Jobs’ wife worth now?

• Laurene Powell Jobs’ net worth is estimated at $12 billion as of 2025 (EBSCO).
• She controls the Steve Jobs Trust and runs the Emerson Collective, a philanthropic investment firm.

What was Steve Jobs’ net worth?

• At the time of his death, Forbes estimated his net worth at $10.2 billion, primarily from his Apple and Disney shares.
• He was the 110th richest person in the world in 2011.

Why Did Steve Jobs Not Bathe?

Jobs was known for his extreme hygiene habits — or lack thereof. According to Dr. McDougall, Jobs reportedly believed his fruit-and-vegetable diet eliminated the need for regular bathing. He would often go long periods without showering, a habit that colleagues found off-putting. This was part of his broader eccentric lifestyle, which included a strict vegan diet and periodic fasts.

The pattern: Jobs’ extreme beliefs about food and body care mirrored his intense perfectionism — but sometimes left others holding their noses.

How Many Wives Did Steve Jobs Have?

Jobs married once, to Laurene Powell in 1991. Before that, he had a daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs, with Chrisann Brennan. Jobs initially denied paternity but later acknowledged Lisa. With Laurene he had three children: Reed (born 1991), Erin (born 1995), and Eve (born 1998).

Who are Steve Jobs’ children?

• Lisa Brennan-Jobs (born 1978) — from relationship with Chrisann Brennan
• Reed Jobs (born 1991), Erin Jobs (born 1995), Eve Jobs (born 1998) — with Laurene Powell

Who were Steve Jobs’ parents?

• Biological parents: Abdulfattah Jandali (Syrian) and Joanne Schieble (American) — he was adopted shortly after birth.
• Adoptive parents: Paul and Clara Jobs of Los Altos, California (EBSCO).

The pattern: Jobs’ family life was as complex as his career.

Why Did Steve Jobs Cry So Much?

Jobs was famous for emotional behavior — crying during meetings, screaming at employees, and showing extreme passion. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Jobs would often burst into tears when frustrated or deeply moved. He was also known as a perfectionist and could be a bully, demanding impossible standards from his teams.

Why this matters: Jobs’ emotional volatility was both a creative fuel and a management flaw — it drove innovation but alienated many colleagues.

Was Steve Jobs a bully?

• Multiple accounts describe Jobs as verbally abusive, with a habit of belittling employees in front of others.
• His biography by Walter Isaacson details incidents of cruel feedback and public humiliation.
• Yet many who worked with him also acknowledged his ability to inspire breakthroughs.

Timeline of Steve Jobs’ Life and Death

• 1976: Co-founds Apple Computer with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne (EBSCO)
• 1985: Forced out of Apple after power struggle (Wikipedia)
• 1986: Acquires Pixar from Lucasfilm (Britannica)
• 1997: Returns to Apple as CEO after buying NeXT (NeuroEndocrine Australia)
• 2007: Introduces the iPhone (Wikipedia)
• 2011: Resigns as CEO in August; dies on October 5 (Dr. McDougall)

Quotes That Define Steve Jobs

“Stay hungry, stay foolish.”

— Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Address, 2005

“He was my best friend. And there’s something about seeing your best friend in the world and seeing him suffer. And seeing him go through something like that.”

— Walter Isaacson, biographer, on Jobs’ final months (Wikipedia)

“Even in his final days, he was still planning new projects, still imagining what Apple could create next.”

— Mona Simpson, sister, in her eulogy (Wikipedia)

Summary: What Steve Jobs’ Legacy Means Today

Steve Jobs left behind a fortune, a family, and a company that dominates global technology. But his legacy is also a cautionary tale about the cost of genius — the personal eccentricities, the delayed medical treatments, and the emotional toll on those around him. For anyone who looks up to his success, the lesson is clear: innovation matters, but so does the life you lead while chasing it.