In his last days, Steve Jobs focused on family first

When in February Steve Jobs learned that his time was finally running out, Apple's visionary co-founder surrounded himself with those most important to him: his wife and his children, according to The New York Times.

As whispers spread of his worsening condition, there were numerous calls and attempted visits to his Palo Alto, California, home, and in his final days there was an incessant stream of phone calls from well-wishers, the daily said in an intimate piece.

Jobs' wife, Laurene, fielded most of the calls, and in the final weeks had confided in one caller that the former Apple chief was too weak to climb the stairs of his own house. She apologised to friends, saying that Jobs only had so much energy for farewells.

"He was aware that his time on earth was limited," close friend Dr. Dean Ornish was quoted as saying. "He wanted control of what he did with the choices that were left."

Most of that time was spent with his family, the report noted. When Jobs was able to make it to Apple, he would finish his work for the day and immediately return home for dinner with his wife and children.

Because of his extreme secrecy, there is little known as to how Jobs' wealth will be distributed. Many wealthy business leaders leave their estates to foundations or charity, but there has been no news on how Jobs planned to mete out his roughly $7 billion fortune.

Little is known of Steve Jobs' personal life, and he wanted it that way. His obsession with secrecy continued until the day he died.

As news of the seriousness of his illness became more widely known, Jobs was asked to attend farewell dinners and to accept various awards. He turned down the offers.

"He was very human," Ornish was quoted as saying. "He was so much more of a real person than most people know. That's what made him so great."