Death can come to us so unexpectedly. No matter how long or how much we think we’re prepared for it, losing a loved one is definitely one of the most difficult things one can experience.
On Monday (28th February), Zain Nadella, son of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and his wife Anu Nadella breathed his last at the young age of 26. The tech giant shared the devastating news with his executives and has asked them to give his family space to grieve for their loss.
“Very sadly, Satya’s son Zain Nadella has passed away. The Nadellas are taking time to grieve privately as a family,” a Microsoft spokesperson said. Satya Nadella’s son Zain suffered from cerebral palsy (a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture) since birth.
Jeff Sperring, CEO of Seattle Children’s Hospital, the hospital where Zain received most of his treatments, wrote in a message to his board, “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.” Many others have also offered their condolences through social media.
Satya Nadella's son, Zain, has passed away at the age of 26. Condolences to Anu and @satyanadella.
Zain was born with cerebral palsy and in his book, Hit Refresh, Satya dug into his personal journey and wrote how Zain’s birth required him to grow as a person. pic.twitter.com/PPiecqw6Jr
— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) March 1, 2022
To @satyanadella, from one father to another, my heartfelt condolences. #Microsoft announced 26-year-old Zain, son of the company’s CEO passed away on Monday.
I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Nadella in 2017… pic.twitter.com/1sqsXVf0Hc— Matt Lorch (@MattLorchNow) March 1, 2022
Zain’s condition has been the reason behind Microsoft’s goal in moving towards in creating and designing products that can help users with special needs. Satya once wrote in a blog post back in 2017 explaining his son’s condition and how it has shaped his personal passion in making technology more accessible for everyone.
“Becoming a father of a son with special needs was the turning point in my life that has shaped who I am today. It has helped me better understand the journey of people with disabilities. It has shaped my personal passion for and philosophy of connecting new ideas to empathy for others. And it is why I am deeply committed to pushing the bounds on what love and compassion combined with human ingenuity and passion to have impact can accomplish with my colleagues at Microsoft,” Nadella wrote.
Parents will do everything they can to make their children’s lives easier. We offer our condolences to the Nadella family.
