AOL Co-founder Jim Kimsey Dies at 76 Kimsey is remembered as a savvy businessman and generous philanthropist.

By Nina Zipkin

AOL | Instagram

Jim Kimsey, the co-founder, first chairman and former CEO of AOL, died this week at his home in McLean, Va. He was 76 years old. The cause of death was cancer.

Kimsey graduated from West Point in 1962 and served three tours in the army in the Dominican Republic and Vietnam. After leaving the military, Kimsey went into the bar and restaurant industry before getting a job in the 1980s at an online video game startup called Control Video. Though the venture wasn't successful, he helped it grow into Quantum Computer Services, which would ultimately become America Online.

Related: This Billionaire Just Gave 10 Startups $100,000 Each on a Whim

During Kimsey's tenure as CEO, the company launched innovations such as Instant Messenger, went public and hit a million users. The ubiquitous phrase -- "Welcome! You've Got Mail" -- made its first appearance in 1989 under Kimsey's leadership. Kimsey was known for working more behind the scenes, and stepped down from the chairman role in 1995.

Steve Case, a co-founder of AOL who served as CEO and chairman in the '90s, released this statement:

It was with deep sadness that I learned today of the passing of AOL co-founder and friend, Jim Kimsey. Jim played a...

Posted by Steve Case on Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Related: Steve Case: 'The Team You Build Will Define the Company You Build'

Kimsey was a philanthropist who donated $10 million to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and was also a member of the organization's board of trustees. In 2001, Colin Powell named Kimsey the chairman of the International Commission on Missing Persons. Kimsey also founded the Kimsey Foundation, which provides grants for artistic and educational endeavors.

He is survived by three sons and six grandchildren.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Business News

Fans of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog Combo Are In for a Big Surprise

Costco CEO Ron Vachris announced a change that's coming soon to the company's food courts.

Business News

'Nobody Ever Gave Me Anything': More Boomers Say They're Not Transferring Wealth to Family Until They're Dead

A new survey from Charles Schwab found boomers are more hesitant to distribute their wealth than other generations.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

How a Mindfulness Practice Can Help You Beat Tech Overwhelm

This article explores how mindfulness can transform your tech choices, ensuring technology serves your business goals without adding unnecessary complexity.

Business News

Instagram Is Offering TikTok Creators Up to $50,000 Per Month For Exclusive Content

Leaked deals show that there are strict terms to receiving the money.