Dave Goldberg death: Sheryl Sandberg writes moving tribute to her late husband

The Facebook COO's husband died in a freak accident while exercising

Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Facebook, with her husband David Goldberg, CEO of SurveyMonkey (Reuters)

Sheryl Sandberg has posted a heartfelt open letter to her late husband, Dave Goldberg.

Goldberg, who was boss of poll company Survey Monkey, collapsed while running on a treadmill in a resort in Mexico. He was found two hours after entering the gym and was taken to hospital, but did not survive. He was 47.

Sandberg, who wrote the book Lean In and is COO of Facebook, described him as "my rock" and spoke of "the deepest love" that she had for Goldberg.

Speaking of his shock death on Facebook, Sandberg said: "Even in these last few days of completely unexpected hell – the darkest and saddest moments of my life – I know how lucky I have been.

"If the day I walked down that aisle with Dave someone had told me that this would happen – that he would be taken from us all in just 11 years – I would still have walked down that aisle."

She posted the tribute on the social networking site along with pictures from their wedding.

The couple married in 2004 in Arizona and have two children together.

His funeral was held on 5 May in California.

Barack Obama also praised Goldberg, saying: "David Goldberg embodied the definition of a real leader - someone who was always looking for ways to empower others."

"He was generous and kind with everybody, and cared less about the limelight than making sure that the people he worked with and loved succeeded in whatever they did."

Read Sandberg's full letter below:

I want to thank all of our friends and family for the outpouring of love over the past few days. It has been extraordinary - and each story you have shared will help keep Dave alive in our hearts and memories.

I met Dave nearly 20 years ago when I first moved to LA. He became my best friend. He showed me the internet for the first time, planned fun outings, took me to temple for the Jewish holidays, introduced me to much cooler music than I had ever heard.

We had 11 truly joyful years of the deepest love, happiest marriage, and truest partnership that I could imagine... He gave me the experience of being deeply understood, truly supported and completely and utterly loved – and I will carry that with me always. Most importantly, he gave me the two most amazing children in the world.

Dave was my rock. When I got upset, he stayed calm. When I was worried, he said it would be ok. When I wasn’t sure what to do, he figured it out. He was completely dedicated to his children in every way – and their strength these past few days is the best sign I could have that Dave is still here with us in spirit.

Dave and I did not get nearly enough time together. But as heartbroken as I am today, I am equally grateful. Even in these last few days of completely unexpected hell – the darkest and saddest moments of my life – I know how lucky I have been. If the day I walked down that aisle with Dave someone had told me that this would happen – that he would be taken from us all in just 11 years – I would still have walked down that aisle. Because 11 years of being Dave Goldberg’s wife, and 10 years of being a parent with him is perhaps more luck and more happiness than I could have ever imagined. I am grateful for every minute we had.

As we put the love of my life to rest today, we buried only his body. His spirit, his soul, his amazing ability to give is still with it. It lives on in the stories people are sharing of how he touched their lives, in the love that is visible in the eyes of our family and friends, in the spirit and resilience of our children. Things will never be the same – but the world is better for the years my beloved husband lived.