Tony Hsieh, retired Zappos CEO, dies at 46

Tony Hsieh, the retired CEO of Las Vegas-based on-line shoe retailer Zappos.com who spent years working to remodel town’s downtown space, has died. He was 46.
Hsieh was with household when he died Friday, in keeping with an announcement from DTP Corporations, which he based. Downtown Partnership spokesperson Megan Fazio mentioned Hsieh handed away in Connecticut, KLAS-TV reported.
Puoy Premsrirut, a lawyer for Hsieh, informed information retailers that Hsieh had been injured in a home fireplace whereas visiting Connecticut. Further particulars weren’t instantly launched. An official reason for dying wasn’t introduced.
“Tony’s kindness and generosity touched the lives of everybody round him, and perpetually brightened the world,” a DTP Corporations assertion mentioned. “Delivering happiness was at all times his mantra, so as a substitute of mourning his transition, we ask you to affix us in celebrating his life.”
Hsieh just lately retired from Zappos after 20 years main the corporate. The net shoe retailer shared a tribute on social media late Friday.
“The world has misplaced an amazing visionary and an unimaginable human being,” the statement mentioned. “His spirit will perpetually be part of Zappos.”
Hsieh was a Harvard College graduate who joined the corporate — then referred to as ShoeSite.com — in 1999. Zappos was offered to Amazon for $1.2 billion in 2009, however Hsieh had remained with the corporate till his retirement.
For years, he additionally worked to revitalize downtown Las Vegas, pledging $350 million in 2013 for redevelopment. The identical yr he moved Zappos’ headquarters into the previous Las Vegas Metropolis Corridor constructing.
“Tony Hsieh performed a pivotal position in serving to rework Downtown Las Vegas,” Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak tweeted Friday night time. “Kathy and I ship our love and condolences to Tony’s household and associates throughout this troublesome time.”
A wave of tributes poured out on social media as information of Hsieh’s dying unfold.
“Tony Hsieh is likely to be essentially the most authentic thinker I’ve ever been associates with,” former enterprise investor Chris Sacca tweeted. “He questioned each assumption and shared every little thing he discovered alongside the best way. He genuinely delighted in making anybody and everybody pleased.”
Skateboarder and entrepreneur Tony Hawk added, “Tony Hsieh was a visionary. He was beneficiant together with his time and keen to share his invaluable experience with anybody.”
“A really authentic thinker, a superb entrepreneur, and a kind-hearted and beneficiant pal to so many,” tweeted entrepreneur Max Levchin.
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