'7 Habits' author Stephen Covey dead at 79

Stephen Covey, who penned the book "7 Habits of Highly Effective People," died on Monday (July 16) at 79. Covey died from the effects of a bicycle accident he had in April in Provo, Utah that caused some bleeding in his brain.

Covey's book, published in 1989, became an instant bestseller, a go-to text for leaders/managers and one of the most influential business books of the last 30 years. Covey went on to publish three more business books and toured as a motivational speaker for several years.

He also founded the Covey Leadership Center, which morphed into FranklinCovey Co. which sold books, tapes and organizational aids.

"In his final hours, he was surrounded by his loving wife and each one of his children and their spouses, just as he always wanted," his family wrote in a statement to KSL-TV in Utah. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude for all of the love and prayers that have been showered upon Stephen and our family from all around the globe over the past several months."