Tony Hsieh's life was a true rags-to-riches story, as he went from being a child entrepreneur to becoming a successful entrepreneur and business leader. He was born on December 12, 1973, in Illinois.
Hsieh's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age, as he started his first business, a direct marketing company called LinkExchange, at the age of 23. This venture eventually sold for $35 million.
After selling LinkExchange, Hsieh went on to co-found Zappos in 1999, which would become a leading online shoe retailer. He served as the company's CEO until 2009.
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Tony Hsieh's Career
Tony Hsieh wrote a book called Delivering Happiness, which was published in 2010 and has 253 pages.
He was the CEO of Zappos, a company that aimed to create a culture of happiness and fulfillment.
In 2022, a book about Tony Hsieh was published, called Happy at Any Cost, which explores his vision and quest for happiness at Zappos.
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Tony Hsieh's story has also been documented in the book Wonder Boy, published in 2023, which examines the myth of happiness in Silicon Valley.
Here are some notable books written or published about Tony Hsieh:
- Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose (2010)
- Happy at Any Cost: The Revolutionary Vision and Fatal Quest of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh (2022)
- Wonder Boy: Tony Hsieh, Zappos, and the Myth of Happiness in Silicon Valley (2023)
Awards and Legacy
Tony Hsieh received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the Northern California region in 2007.
His book Delivering Happiness, published in 2010, was a huge success and debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller List.
The book stayed on the list for 27 consecutive weeks, a testament to its impact and relevance.
It was profiled in many world publications, including The Washington Post, CNBC, TechCrunch, The Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
Death and Aftermath
Tony Hsieh's death was confirmed on Friday, and he was just 46 years old.
He was with family at the time of his passing.
Tony Hsieh died in Connecticut, where he had been visiting.
The official cause of death was not announced.
A statement from DTP Companies, which Hsieh founded, described him as a "tremendous visionary and an incredible human being."
His spirit will forever be a part of Zappos.
The world is mourning the loss of Tony Hsieh, and many are paying tribute to him on social media.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak tweeted that Hsieh played a pivotal role in transforming downtown Las Vegas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much was Tony Hsieh worth when he died?
Tony Hsieh was estimated to be worth $840 million at the time of his death. His vast fortune was complicated by the fact that he did not have a will.
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