Motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar has died in Texas. He was 86.
Ziglar's executive assistant Laurie Magers says Ziglar died Wednesday at a hospital in the Dallas suburb of Plano.
“Though his time on earth has ended, he is speaking with Jesus now in his heavenly home,” read a statement on his Facebook page. “The angels in heaven are rejoicing and his family is celebrating a life well lived.”
According to his Plano-based company's website, Ziglar was a World War II veteran who grew up in Yazoo City, Miss., and then went to work in sales for a series of companies, where his interest in motivational speaking grew. He was the tenth of twelve children.
Ziglar was known for corporate training and motivational speeches that aimed to improve people's personal lives and careers. His company includes more than a dozen other speakers who advocate "The Ziglar Way."
Ziglar wrote more than 30 books, including "See You at the Top" and "Over the Top."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.