S. Truett Cathy, the founder of the popular American fast food chain Chick-fil-A, has died at the age of 93.
The company announced that Cathy died "peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones," at 1:35 a.m. ET on Monday with a note on Chick-fil-A's website. Cathy founded the company in 1967 and it now has more than 1,800 outlets in 39 states and the nation's capital.
Chick-fil-A also commemorated its founder's death on Twitter.
Grieving the loss of our founder Truett Cathy, who passed away today. Please keep the Cathys in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/6LnjkysI8l— Chick-fil-A, Inc. (@ChickfilA) September 8, 2014
At the time of his death, Cathy was Chick-fil-A's chairman emeritus, as he left the day-to-day operations to younger generations. His son Dan is now the company's chairman and president, but Cathy liked to be involved until very recently.
"Why would I retire from something I enjoy doing?" Cathy said in a 2007 interview. "I can hardly wait to get here."
Thanks the the success of hi chian, Cathy had an estimated wealth of $6 billion, which put him in Forbes magazine list of the wealthiest Americans in the country.
Cathy leaves his wife of 65 years, Jeannette McNeil Cathy, and sons Dan T. and Don "Bubba" Cathy, as well as his daughter Trudy Cathy White. He also had 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Additional reporting by Associated Press