Travis Kalanick sensationally quits as Uber chief as investors force the billionaire out
The 40-year-old took taxi app from tiny start-up to multi-billion dollar super company
UBER chief Travis Kalanick has sensationally quit as Chief Executive of the taxi app.
Disgruntled investors in Uber are thought to have forced the 40-year-old to walk.
The news comes just weeks after the American billionaire lost his mother in a tragic boating accident.
In a statement this morning, he said: "I love Uber more than anything in the world and at this difficult moment in my personal life I have accepted the investors' request to step aside so that Uber can go back to building rather than be distracted with another fight."
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His decision to go is a "surprise to everyone", on Uber insider told The New York Times.
Kalanick, 40, was one of the founding fathers of the taxi app.
It has earned the Californian an estimated £5billion while the company itself is valued at around £50bn.
But he has often struggled to avoid controversy.
In March he was recorded arguing with one of the taxi app’s drivers in a row over its low fares.
In a video obtained by , driver Fawzi Kamel was filmed raging: “I lost money — $7,000 (£5,660) — because of you.
“I’m bankrupt because of you.”
Kamel’s dashcam then caught Kalanick launch a broadside back at him during the tirade.
He fired back: “Bulls**t!”
Before adding: “You know what. Some people don’t like to take responsibility for their own s**t.
“They blame everything in their life on someone else.”
He was forced into an embarrassing apology after the footage emerged.
In an email to staff, he wrote: “To say that I am ashamed is an extreme understatement.
“It’s clear this video is a reflection of me — and the criticism we’ve received is a stark reminder that I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up.
“This is the first time I’ve been willing to admit that I need leadership help and I intend to get it.”
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