Stephen Covey, Author of '7 Habits,' Dead at 79

The book, 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' first published in 1989, became a phenomenon, not to mention a number one bestseller. Its author, Stephen Covey, died Monday at a hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho, reports the Los Angeles Times. He was 79.

Covey, a former Brigham Young University business professor, is said to have died from complications from injuries he sustained in a bicycle accident in April.

USA Today reports, "Covey was hospitalized after being knocked unconscious in the bicycle accident on a steep road in the foothills of Provo, Utah, about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City."

According to his publicist, he was wearing a helmet.

A press release on the Stephen R. Covey Web site stated, "Dr. Stephen R. Covey, co-founder and a former vice-chairman and director of FranklinCovey, passed away peacefully this morning [Monday, July 16] 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."

Covey, who has been married for 55 years, is survived by his wife, five daughters, four sons, two sisters, a brother, 52 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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