Tributes pour in on Twitter in the wake of former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh's death

Andy Cross / The Denver Post via Getty Images

News of Tony Hsieh's death rumbled social media Saturday morning as investors, journalists, politicians, and tech founders paid tribute to the former Zappos CEO. 

Hsieh died at 46 from injuries sustained during a house fire in Connecticut, according to multiple reports. 

Amazon in 2009 acquired Zappos, an online shoe and clothing retailer, for a hefty $1.2 billion. Hsieh was involved with Zappos for two decades before he retired, continuing in the role even after the sale to Amazon. He stepped down in August.

"The world has lost a tremendous visionary and an incredible human being," Zappos CEO Kedar Deshpande said in a statement. "We recognize that not only have we lost our inspiring former leader, but many of you have also lost a mentor and a friend."

Among those posting tributes to Twitter are former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, Recode Founder Kara Swisher, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, and scores of startup and tech CEOs.

Other Nevada leaders heralded Hsieh, who is recognized as a major influencer in the formation of several downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, initiatives.

Hsieh in 2012 founded the Downtown Project, for example, a $350 million investment intended to revitalize the Las Vegas downtown area.

Las Vegas legislator Cedric Crear wrote that he was "saddened" by the news of Hsieh's death. Crear, like many others, took to Twitter in the wake of Hsieh's death to commemorate the late entrepreneur.

"Such a creative & innovative person who positively helped change the landscape of Downtown Las Vegas," he tweeted. "We have been working on some cool projects for Downtown. God speed to his family, coworkers and our community."

Here are the tributes that poured in on Twitter to commemorate Hsieh's life:

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I am stunned. Tony Hsieh touched so many lives and inspired so many entrepreneurs. His impact and legacy will go on and on. I met his family in Las Vegas - and am thinking of them today. RIP Tony. You will be missed. 🙏 #Deliveringhappiness https://t.co/jkUETTHyDA

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Tony Hsieh was special. Just look at twitter & how every person he interacted with talked about him. He was the most successful person I met who never took himself too seriously. His generosity was ridiculous. This is the photo that I'll remember him by. pic.twitter.com/0s7f0VqUco

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I co-host an annual poker game/party & Tony was always one of the first (AND only) to ask how he could help me. One year, a guy was giving me a hard time & Tony w/out missing a beat, w/a look that could kill, got up from poker, quietly, walked over to the guy & threw him out. 💕

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RIP Tony Hsieh

"Happiness is really just about four things: perceived control, perceived progress, connectedness (number and depth of your relationships), and vision/meaning (being part of something bigger than yourself)." pic.twitter.com/rCIln3OP4h

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Visited Tony Hsieh at his downtown Vegas digs many times, but this in 2014 was particularly fascinating. Admiring all the truly oddball creations, he leaned in, smiled his impish grin and whispered to me: "It's all a simulation." Maybe so, but his was a weirdly wonderful one. pic.twitter.com/vnlyybyEU5

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