Susan Wojcicki, a tech pioneer and former CEO of YouTube, has passed away at the age of 56 after a two-year battle with non-small-cell lung cancer. Her death was announced by her husband, Dennis Troper, who described her as a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Troper wrote, “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki passing. My beloved wife of 26 years and mother to our five children left us today after two years of living with non-small-cell lung cancer.”
“Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable. We are heartbroken, but grateful for the time we had with her.”
Wojcicki’s journey in the tech world began in the late 1990s when she rented out her Menlo Park garage to Google’s founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page. This pivotal moment marked the start of her long and storied career with the company. She soon became Google’s 16th employee, making significant contributions that shaped the search engine giant into the powerhouse it is today.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed his deep sorrow on X/Twitter, calling Wojcicki “core” to Google’s history. “She was an incredible person, leader, and friend who had a tremendous impact on the world. I’m one of countless Googlers who is better for knowing her. We will miss her dearly,” Pichai said.
Wojcicki rose to prominence as one of the few women in Silicon Valley to hold a senior leadership role, eventually becoming the CEO of YouTube. She led the platform through a critical period as it transitioned into a social media juggernaut.
However, her tenure was not without challenges. YouTube faced scrutiny over its handling of online misinformation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, fact-checking organizations accused the platform of being a major conduit for misinformation worldwide.
Despite these challenges, Wojcicki remained proud of her work. When she announced her decision to step down as YouTube’s CEO in 2023, she reflected on her time at the helm: “I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved. It’s been exhilarating, meaningful, and all-consuming.”
In addition to her professional achievements, Wojcicki was a passionate advocate for increasing the number of women in tech. She often spoke about the need to encourage more girls to pursue careers in technology, recognizing the industry’s significant gender gap.
As the tech world mourns the loss of a visionary leader, Wojcicki’s legacy will be remembered not just for her contributions to Google and YouTube, but also for her commitment to family, her advocacy for women in tech, and the personal warmth she brought to all who knew her.
“Please keep our family in your thoughts as we navigate this difficult time,” Troper concluded in his tribute.
