Tony Hsieh, the former CEO of Zappos, died peacefully on Friday surrounded by family, according to a statement sent out by a spokesperson for DTP Companies, a Las Vegas-based enterprise for which Hsieh served as visionary.
According to CNN, Hsieh,46, died from injuries he sustained in a house fire that occurred in Connecticut while he was visiting family, the spokesperson, Megan Fazio, said.
“Tony’s kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone around him, and forever brightened the world,” the statement from his family read. “Instead of mourning his transition, we ask you to join us in celebrating his life,” their statement added.
Known to many as “Downtown Tony,” Hsieh was well known for his leadership of online shoe and clothing retailer “Zappos.” After spending 20 years with the company, he had recently retired, Zappos CEO Kedar Deshpande wrote in a statement on Friday.
“The world has lost a tremendous visionary and an incredible human being,” Deshpande wrote. “We recognize that not only have we lost our inspiring former leader, but many of you have also lost a mentor and a friend.”
