Husband of top Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg dies on holiday
Dave Goldberg, the husband of Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg, has died suddenly at the age of 47.
Facebook founder and friend Mark Zuckerberg said the Silicon Valley entrepreneur passed away on Friday night while on holiday with Sheryl, reports the Independent.
Goldberg was a technology tycoon and the chief executive of online research service SurveyMonkey.
He met Sheryl in 2002 and the couple later married and had two children together.
The news was announced on Facebook by Goldberg's brother Rob, who wrote: "It's with incredible shock and sadness that I'm letting our friends and family know that my amazing brother, Dave Goldberg, beloved husband of Sheryl Sandberg, father of two wonderful children, and son of Paula Goldberg, passed away suddenly last night.
"In this time of sorrow, we mourn his passing and remember what an amazing husband, father, brother, son and friend he was. No words can express the depth of loss we feel, but we want his children to learn how much he meant to all of you.
"In lieu of donations, we want to celebrate his life in a manner that respects the family's privacy as they cope with this tragic, life changing event: Sheryl, their children, and our family would be grateful if people would post their memories and pictures of Dave to his Facebook profile."
According to the Daily Telegraph, in a statement, SurveyMonkey said: "Dave's genius, courage and leadership were overshadowed only by his compassion, friendship and heart. Our sympathy goes out to them and to all who were touched by this extraordinary man. We are all heartbroken."
Tributes have poured in on social media too, with messages of condolence from the likes of Chelsea Clinton and LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner.
Devastated to hear about loss of @davegoldberg. One of kindest & most generous friends I've known. My heart goes out to Sheryl & his family
- Jeff Weiner (@jeffweiner) May 2, 2015
All my thoughts and prayers are with Sheryl and her children on the tragic passing of Dave Goldberg. The world is poorer for his loss.
- Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 2, 2015
Sheryl has yet to make a public statement, but thanked her husband in her book Lean In, writing: "And finally, I want to thank my truly amazing husband, Dave Goldberg. Dave is my best friend, closest a advisor, dedicated coparent, and the love of my life..."
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