'My Rock': Grieving Facebook Exec Posts Tribute

One of Facebook's most senior executives has used the site to pay a moving tribute to her husband after he died in an accident.

David Goldberg slipped while exercising on a treadmill during a family holiday at a Mexican resort and later died due to head trauma .

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer, posted a eulogy on the day of his memorial service.

She called her husband her "rock" and her "best friend".

"We had 11 truly joyful years of the deepest love, happiest marriage, and truest partnership that I could imagine," she wrote.

"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."

Mr Goldberg, 47, was chief executive of online poll firm SurveyMonkey and previously worked for the likes of Yahoo.

He had been married to Ms Sandberg, 45, since 2004.

She is second in command to Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg.

Ms Sandberg's post added: "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."

President Barack Obama is one of the many public figures to offer his condolences.

He wrote on the White House Facebook page: "His skills as an entrepreneur created opportunity for many; his love for his family was a joy to behold, and his example as a husband and father was something we could all learn from."

Mr Goldberg's memorial service took place in the heart of Silicon Valley on Tuesday, and was attended by people including U2 singer Bono, film director George Lucas and other senior technology executives.