Salt Lake City —( BUSINESS WIRE )— Jul . 16 , 2012 — Franklin Covey Co . ( NYSE : FC ) today announced that Dr . Stephen R . Covey , co-founder and a former vice-chairman and director of FranklinCovey , passed away peacefully this morning due to the residual effects of a bicycle accident he suffered this past April . He was in his 80 th year . In his final hours , he was surrounded by his loving wife and each of his children and their spouses .
Dr . Covey made a decision early in his life that his greatest contribution and life ’ s work would be as a teacher . Beginning with his role as a university professor at Brigham Young University and then as an internationally-renowned author , speaker , and consultant , he has impacted the lives of countless millions worldwide . From grade school and university students , to Fortune 100 CEOs and numerous heads of state , he made teaching principle-centered leadership his life ’ s work .
In 1996 , Dr . Covey was recognized as one of Time magazine ’ s 25 Most Influential Americans . He is the author of a number of acclaimed books , including the international bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , which has sold more than 20 million copies in 40 languages throughout the world . Other bestsellers include First Things First , Principle-Centered Leadership , The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families , and The 8 th Habit . His most recent books include The 3 rd Alternative , The Leader in Me , and Everyday Greatness .
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