Zain Nadella, son of Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft and his wife Anu, passed away on Monday morning. The 26 years old son of Nadella had been born with cerebral palsy, Microsoft said.
The software giant told its executive staff in an email that Zain is no more. The message asked executives to hold the family in their thoughts and prayers while giving them space to grieve privately.
Since taking on the CEO’s role in 2014, Satya Nadella has focused the company on designing products to better serve users with disabilities and cited lessons he learned raising and supporting Zain.
Earlier last year, the Children’s Hospital, where Zain received much of his treatment, joined with the Nadellas to establish the Zain Nadella Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neurosciences, as part of Seattle Children’s Center for Integrative Brain Research.
Satya Nadella Son Zain had an Eclectic Taste in Music, Bright Sunny Smile
“Zain will be remembered for his eclectic taste in music, his bright sunny smile and the immense joy he brought to his family and all those who loved him,” Jeff Sperring, CEO of Children’s Hospital, wrote in a message to his Board, which was shared with Microsoft executives.
“Deeply pained to learn of the passing away of young Zain Nadella. Condolences to Anupama Ji, @satyanadella and family. May god give them strength through this difficult time. Om Shanthi,” wrote Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Twitter.
