Om Malik has died
Mirrored from Hacker News — AI on Front Page for archival readability. Support the source by reading on the original site.
Om Malik passed away on June 24, 2026, at Stanford Hospital after a long health journey with his heart. He was surrounded by family and friends.
We invite you to share your remembrances of Om in the comments below or by posting and tagging his accounts on X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, or LinkedIn.
To learn more about Om’s life and work, you can visit his About page or read more on Wikipedia.
— Om’s Family
Om Malik is a San Francisco based writer, photographer and investor. Read More
64 thoughts on this post
-
My condolences to family and friends. I’ve been reading Om’s blog for years and always enjoyed his insight, and especially his interweaved creative endeavors. His photography has always been striking. He’ll be missed.
-
I didn’t know Om well, but I savored my encounters with him, the last of which was a year ago at WWDC. He had been doing the best writing of his life in recent months on this site, and in his absence, we will all understand the tech industry a little less well. I’m so very sorry.
-
A sad day when we lose one of the most supportive and brightest. He was a father and mentor to the entire Gigaom family, helping us become better writers, and humans, than we thought we could be. I will miss you, Om. Peace to you and yours.
-
-
We never met, never even talked really- just a couple of brief pleasantries exchanged here and there over shared interests… yet this news is like a gut punch.
Om was an insightful, steadying voice throughout my time associated with the technology industry- his experience calmed choppy waters, and was often a much needed dose of perspective in a world increasingly happy to focus on style over substance. His essays felt like a throwback in the best possible way, and his passion for elegance and craftsmanship was infectious.
I thank him for the gift of his knowledge, and his unerring passion for the interesting. I hope his legacy brings comfort to his family and loved ones.
-
This is terrible news … so so sad i have never met him in real life only followed through online blogs and also on his site …life is fragile, may his soul rest in peace …all we have got is today and thats reality 🙁 We will learn some amazing things he taught us via his writing and some observations… Words , emotions, interaction via comments really have meaning … Thank you Om …May you rest in peace and strength to family
-
Om was always thoughtful and smart, with his unique perspective on tech, pens, health, photography and so many other things. We first met when he was an Advisor to about.me, where I worked. He responded anywhere.
My condolences to his family and loved ones. -
My condolences to Om’s family and friends. I have been a long-time reader of his work for so many years. Rest in peace, and let’s all take care of and appreciate each other while we can.
-
This is horrible news. I’m so sorry to hear. I met Om once for coffee and we emailed each other with talk of cameras and settings and all that good stuff.
He will be thought of often and missed immensely. — Matt -
I met Om almost 13 years ago via Matt Mullenweg. Om was so generous with his time, advice, and great at making a founder feel like a friend. I still remember our meeting and time spent. My condolences, he will be missed and very much remembered.
-
I’m so sad to hear this — I never met a kinder entrepreneur.
I only met Om a handful of times, but he shared two lasting lessons with me.
The first was when he was running GigaOm and I was a cub tech reporter at the SF Chronicle. He was skeptical about hiring me, he said, because newspaper writers were generally too slow and didn’t understand web-era publishing. He was right, and it pushed me to leave newspapers as quickly as I could to prove that I could evolve.
The second was many years later, when I was having a drink with him and some other reporters. We asked him what advice he had for us, and he said: never name your blog after yourself.
I’m happy to have known him even a little, and my condolences to his friends and family. -
Om was one of the greats. A terrific journalist, a fixture of Silicon Valley, and a good friend. He was always brutally honest and usually right.
He will be missed.
-
I’m so very sorry. Om was a good person, To sort carefully about everything from friends to family, I will miss him. My condolences.
-
Om, I’m so glad we made time to meetup at the SF Pen Ahow last fall. Pens, paper, writing, friendships. Your happy place. You were running late because you were volunteering and helping the show for a community you loved so much.
Thank you my sweet, sweet friend.
-
My condolences. Om’s writing was a calm space in the whirling dervish that is the internet. I’ll miss reading his missives and witnessing more of his photography.
-
I’m so sad. Om was a true pioneer and a role model. My greatest sympathy to his family. I’m truly shaken by this news.
-
Deepest condolences. This is crushing for the Malik Family, and his massive fandom.
When one read his note about taking a short break, little did we know that would be his last missive.
Au Revoir, Om. Your words will continue to inspire.
-
Thoughtful, Wise and Sincere. Responsive to comments. I learned so much reading and reflecting on his writing.
-
I too was a casual friend (more casual than I wish I had been) but I recall fondly every interaction we had over the years, when I moved to the Bay Area back in 2006, Om was one of the friendliest and also best folks to know in the tech scene here. I remember great discussions at various events over the years and as Harry notes his writing in recent months has been fantastic. May his memory be a blessing.
-
I will miss “On my Om” and I’m sure I won’t be alone in that. Rest in peace, Om, and condolences to family and friends.
-
My heartfelt condolences. We’ve exchanged thoughtful comments on this blog and connected a few times on social media, but I will truly miss his endless curiosity about the world. His passion extended beyond technology; he had a remarkable ability to capture the moments he experienced through the lens of a camera. He didn’t just transport you to those scenes; he also made you aware of why they mattered and why you should care.
There are very few newsletters I eagerly anticipate, despite subscribing to numerous ones. His was one of the four that I looked forward to with genuine enthusiasm. Om will be deeply missed by many, as his writing accomplished something few others achieve today: it inspired us to strive to be better human beings. R.I.P.
-
Om was one of my first bosses in journalism, and the lessons he taught me have been a part of my daily life ever since. Following him through blogs and social media in the time since, I always admired how kind and curious he always was, in addition to being one of the sharpest minds about tech out there. Shocked and saddened by the news, and deepest sympathies to his friends and family.
-
You will be missed!
-
When I first started spending time on the web and reading a lot about tech news, GigaOm was one of the best websites I regularly visited. When I joined Twitter, Om was among the first persons I followed. When I started listening to podcasts, Om was one of the voices I liked the most (I believe he was a regular on Twit dot TV). When I finally got to work in the industry myself, I had the chance to meet him and tell him in person, in Paris, at the Le Web event, while shaking his hand, that I was a big fan. I remember this moment very clearly (it was in the media break room) as I felt so lucky to meet one of my web heroes. I was very shy, and I could have (should have) told him that he was one of my inspirations. Ever since that moment, Om kept on proving he was one of the best observers and commentators of the industry, and one of the best writers. His blog is so good. This feels so sudden, too soon. My thoughts are with his loved ones. I’m so sorry. His words, his writing, his thoughts, his impeccable taste will be missed.
-
Sad to hear of Om’s passing. We kept in loose touch over nearly two decades. I was fortunate to have a few meals with him and treasured our conversations and his company. Outstanding writer, kind hearted, warm spirited, and very insightful. Loved talking watches with him as well. He was always open to interesting ideas, no matter where they came from. A wonderful human, a gift to know. ❤️
-
I admired Om as a pioneer in tech journalism, but also as a man with a kind heart and soul. At the height of his powers, he was a giant, but a giant with a conscience. His loss leaves us all a little poorer at a time when we need a mind and a conscience like his more than ever. May his memory be a blessing.
-
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon (RIP).
I am in shock. I knew Om from when he was still an active journalist, before even GigaOm, and remember fondly our geeky conversations on how to free journalism from its Big Tech shackles using RSS. He was not much older than me, and I kept bumping into him at random when I still lived in San Francisco.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
-
I met Om a few times, talked on the phone with him a couple times, but I wish I’d known him better. He was a giant in our business, and even though he’s gone, his influence continues on.
-
I am shocked, he was a close friend, we are the same age and grew up in New Delhi, first met him in the 90’s when he interviewed me, and after that we shared our love for technology and photography… I dont even know what else to say, I wanted to show him what I was working on these days, and he had not responded was strange… he leaves a huge gap in the world, there was only one OM
-
When something interesting is happening, especially when it’s technology related, and especially when I’ve been stewing on it and had a hard time solidifying my own understanding, sometimes I think, “I wonder what Om’s take is.” There have only ever been a handful of voices worth turning to like that, because the kind of care Om put into his thoughts and his ability to turn his thoughts into words is rare. So sorry for this world to lose him. Condolences to his family, friends, and community.
-
Om, I unfortunately never met you in person but your writing always hit the spot. You’ll be missed. ♥️
My heart goes out to your family and friends.
-
Om’s uniquely informed perspective resulted in writing that contained equal measures of kindness and candor about two fields that often clash, news and tech. He was as warm and thoughtful in person as on the page and had given me some great career advice early on in mine. Deepest sympathies to those who knew and loved the man.
-
I’m heartbroken to read this! Sending my condolences to Om’s family and friends– I never got to know him in person, but always cherished our few online interactions and have long admired both his writing and photography. He’ll be long remembered and missed by so many!
-
I’ll remember him, not only from his writing, but also from his expression of his sensibilities through his photography. RIP
-
I never met Om, but greatly appreciated his profound insights on the complexities & implications of technology as well as his photographic artistry & love of fountain pens & inks. I always intended to send him a note, which I regret I never did. My condolences to his family & friends.
-
I was Om’s Uber driver one time and I knew who he was from following his writings in the years prior. I dropped him off in the Mission District of SF. We had a warm exchange and I recall him offering to be helpful to me at the end of the ride. This was back in ~2017. May he rest in eternal peace and may his family and loved ones be forever comforted by his many contributions.
-
Sincere condolences to family and friends. Met Om in the late 2000s when I started my company & of all of the tech writers, he was the most sincere and authentic… RIP.
-
I always looked up to, and admired Om. He always made me feel welcome no matter where we were. When i would come to SF to work in the True office, he was the firs to say hi and check in. He was a great person and a gentle soul. I learned a ton from him, and will always be grateful for the time we spent together. He was extremely nice and sweet to my wife and family. We love Om and wish that he rests in peace. Thank you for everything, we will always remember.
-
My sincere condolences to Om’s family and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting him in person at a GigaOm event in SF years ago, and followed him ever since.
I always loved his thoughtful demeanor and point of view on the worlds of technology and our shared passion of photography. I will miss his masterfully composed words and images and the kindness that emanated from his spirit.
Keeping this short because I know so many people are hurting now. I will keep you all in my thoughts. May his memory be a blessing.
-
Om was a unique treasure and left a major impact in so many places and hearts. GigaOM, True Ventures and Foursquare mayor of Sightglass Coffee were a few of his lasting endeavors. He will be missed but never forgotten. Godspeed Om.
-
I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve always learned so much from his posts here and on other social media. He will be missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
-
Om was one of the best thinkers and writers in the game. I’ve always looked up to him. I always appreciated his perspective. I’ll/we’ll miss him.
A proud and enlightened follower from the early days,
Brian -
My thoughts are with Om’s family and friends during this difficult time. I always admired his ability to explain complex things clearly, and even more, his courage in speaking plainly and honestly. He will be deeply missed.
-
This is terrible news — my thoughts go out to Om’s family. I worked at Gigaom with Om and a great team of folks in the early 2010s and it was one of the best times of my life and of my career, and a large part of that was due to my friendship with Om. He will be missed.
-
OMG. Om was such a pioneer and visionary in silicon valley and an everlasting icon in the tech industry. I first met him more than 20 years ago when he was writing about media and tech while I was in house at RealNetworks. I am stunned and saddened to hear this news. I can say with some confidence, however, that his legacy will be long-lasting.
-
I’m so sad to hear this. I always appreciated reading what Om had to say about things, and really enjoyed his photography.
-
Om and I were longtime friends, even if we only infrequently saw each other. He was a rare combination: a deeply ethical person, an insightful analyst, a talented writer & photographer, and a successful venture investor.
On a personal level, Om was a builder of people, things, and places. He enjoyed nothing more than sharing ideas and bringing together people he thought should know each other. “Paul, you should meet …” were usually the first four words out of his mouth any time I ran into him at an event.
Om and I had many memorable dinners together, and we had emailed a few months back about getting together again before long.
I will miss him.
-
I was very sad to see the note of Om’s passing in my inbox just now. My condolences to his family! I have been following his insights for years and always considered them wise and entertaining. Rest in peace!
-
This is devastating news.
I met Om five years ago in Antarctica while we photographed penguins and a solar eclipse and we kept in touch ever since. He introduced me to Leica cameras and challenged how I thought about photography – encouraged me to constrain myself – be it a fixed focal length or black and white and use that constraint to be more creative. He inspired me to try new things with photography.
We had planned to go and shoot photos together, but over the past year our schedules didn’t align and I’m sad now that we won’t get that opportunity. I will however think of him when I pick up my cameras. He will be greatly missed. -
It’s hard to put into words what Om meant to me.
He wasn’t just a friend or mentor, he was family. He would introduce me as his son, and that’s exactly how he treated me. He was the first person to truly believe in me, the first to invest in me, and one of the people most responsible for the person I’ve become.
When I met him, I was just 17 or 18 years old. He was the same age then that I am today. It’s strange to realize I’m now standing where he was when he changed the course of my life.
One of my earliest memories of him was his 40th birthday party. It was at a local bar, and since I wasn’t 21, I figured I’d have to stay outside. Instead, Om made sure I was included. That was who he was, he made everyone feel like they belonged.
When I made the decision not to finish college and instead pursue a career in tech, Om never questioned it. He believed in me completely. More than that, he sat down with my parents and helped them understand that I knew what I was doing, that I was in good hands, and that he would watch over my path. Looking back now, I realize how extraordinary that was. He wasn’t just giving me advice, he was taking responsibility for me. That’s the kind of man he was.
Over the years, he became the first person I called whenever I needed advice. No matter the situation, he always seemed to know exactly what to say. He had a rare gift of seeing 20 steps ahead while explaining things with remarkable simplicity. He gave wisdom freely, never seeking credit, only wanting to help others succeed.
He was also the officiant who married my wife and me, a moment I’ll forever treasure. He wasn’t just present for the milestones in my life; he helped make them possible.
If you knew Om, you knew his love for espressos, photowalks, beautiful pens, and, of course, technology. He was endlessly curious, always learning, always teaching, always thinking about what came next.
For nearly half my life, he has been one of my constants. My sounding board. My mentor. My father figure. My rock.
Thank you, Om, for believing in me before I believed in myself. Thank you for standing beside me when others weren’t sure. Thank you for every conversation, every lesson, every opportunity, and every moment of encouragement.
I will carry your wisdom with me for the rest of my life. I hope to honor you by being for others even a fraction of what you were for me.
I am deeply grateful that I was able to spend one last Father’s Day with you and to be there in the final moments.
I love you. I’ll miss you more than words can express.
Rest easy, Om. -
Wow. Just wow. So sorry for his loss.
May you rest in peace Om. Really especial human being.
Would miss your posts, especially about photography, papers and pens. You revive my passion for geeks stuff, fountain pen, crafty paper like Paperblanks and the art of writing.
My condolences to your family, friends, et al. -
We are so lucky thst a person with a mind that sharp and flexible gave us years of thought and writing. This was such a shock. I want to go back and read his work sequentially. Wishes and condolences for his family.
-
Very sad to hear Om is not with us. I followed him for years and he gave me much to think about as well. Om was a true original and spoke truth to power. His voice will be missed dearly. Rest in peace.
-
My sincere condolences!
I knew Om in the heady days of early mobile, and he was one of my favourite voices in the space: intelligent, sharp, clear-eyed, but always kind.
-
So sorry to hear. The world has lost a great writer, analyst, and human.
I met Om in 2018 when we were just starting our company; he invited me to Pier 38, and to park in the spot titled “reserved: GigaOm”. Over the years we talked about tech, cloud storage, infrastructure, backups, and more. I had the honor of speaking at his Structure event, and the pleasure of learning from many others at those events and through his writings.
Om was insightful but gentle, and had a curiosity and desire to share knowledge without ego or bravado. He was a rare a combo and will be missed.
-
Very sad news. I was honored to be a friend of Om’s. I recall our first meeting in a coffee shop on Market Street in SF (maybe in 2004) where we traded stories about our histories and OM told me how much he liked baseball and the Yankees. When he was last here in Seattle, he had a new Leica, as we walked through Pioneer Square, he happily took pictures of anything that intrigued him. Om was both a true gentleman and a scholar. To quote my Jewish friends, “may his memory be a blessing” to his family and his many, many friends.
-
Om was one of the smartest people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Over the years, I enjoyed our conversations on evolving technologies, our evolving city, and photography. His writing and insights over the past year have been exceptional, and I will miss his presence in our community. There is a gorgeous photo he took of a lifeguard hut that hangs in my home office, and I will treasure it all the more.
-
Huge loss. I’ve enjoyed his newsletters and content over the years, going back to the GigaOM days. My condolences to the family and friends.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Discussion (0)
Sign in to join the discussion. Free account, 30 seconds — email code or GitHub.
Sign in →No comments yet. Sign in and be the first to say something.