Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and one of the first employees at Google, has passed away at the age of 56 after a two-year battle with non-small cell lung cancer. Her husband, Dennis Troper, announced her death on Facebook, expressing profound sadness at the loss of his beloved wife and mother of their five children. Wojcicki’s impact on her family and the world was immeasurable, and her legacy will be remembered by many.
Wojcicki made the decision to step down from her role at YouTube in February 2023 after nine years of leading the company. In a note to staff, she explained that she wanted to focus on her family, health, and personal projects that she was passionate about. Her departure marked the end of an era for YouTube, which had grown significantly under her leadership.
As the 16th person to be hired at Google in 1999, Wojcicki played a crucial role in building out the company’s ad business and analytics products. She later transitioned into the role of CEO at YouTube after Google acquired the video platform in 2014. Under her leadership, YouTube became one of the leading social and video platforms for digital creators, offering them the opportunity to monetize their content through the YouTube Partner Program. Wojcicki also oversaw the launch of Shorts, a short-form video offering designed to compete with platforms like TikTok.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, paid tribute to Wojcicki on social media, describing her as an incredible person, leader, and friend who had a tremendous impact on the world. He expressed his deep sadness at her passing and extended his thoughts to her family during this difficult time.
Born on July 5, 1968, in Santa Clara, California, Wojcicki was raised by her father, Stanley Wojcicki, a physics professor at Stanford University, and her mother, Esther Wojcicki, a teacher and journalist. She pursued her education at Harvard University, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of California, Los Angeles before embarking on her career in technology.
Prior to joining Google, Wojcicki had worked at Intel Corporation, Bain & Co., and R.B. Webber & Co. She leaves behind a legacy of innovation and leadership that has left a lasting impact on the tech industry and beyond. Wojcicki is survived by her husband, children, and mother, who will continue to cherish her memory and the contributions she made during her lifetime.
