Susan Wojcicki
Susan Wojcicki, former CEO of YouTube and one of Google’s first employees, passed away on Friday at the age of 56 following a two-year battle with non-small cell lung cancer.
Her husband, Dennis Troper, shared the news on Facebook, expressing the family’s deep sorrow.
Susan Wojcicki’s career in technology is one of profound impact and legacy. Joining Google in 1999 as its 16th employee, she played a critical role in the company’s early growth.
She was Google’s first marketing executive and was instrumental in the development and launch of Google Video.
Her strategic insight led to the acquisition of YouTube in 2006, a move that would redefine the digital landscape.
Wojcicki took the helm as CEO of YouTube in 2014, overseeing the platform during a period of massive growth and change.
Under her leadership, YouTube expanded into a global giant, with over two billion logged-in users each month.
Susan Wojcicki navigated the company through significant challenges, including the rise of social media, increasing scrutiny over content regulation, and the platform’s role in the spread of misinformation.
In February 2023, Wojcicki stepped down from her role as CEO to focus on her family, health, and personal projects. “I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved,” she wrote at the time. “It’s been exhilarating, meaningful, and all-consuming.”
The tech community has been quick to honor Susan Wojcicki’s contributions. Neal Mohan, her successor as YouTube CEO, expressed his deep gratitude and sorrow on social media.
“I had the good fortune of meeting Susan 17 years ago,” Mohan wrote. “I am forever grateful for her friendship and guidance. I will miss her tremendously.”
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, also paid tribute, calling Wojcicki “core to the history of Google.”
He remarked on her incredible influence, stating, “She was an incredible person, leader, and friend who had a tremendous impact on the world. We will miss her dearly.”
Susan Wojcicki was born on July 5, 1969, in Santa Clara, California, to a family deeply rooted in academia.
Her father, Stanley Wojcicki, was a physics professor at Stanford University, and her mother, Esther Wojcicki, was an educator.
Susan attended Harvard University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s in economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Wojcicki is survived by her husband, Dennis Troper, and their four children. Tragically, her son Marco, 19, passed away from a drug overdose in February while attending UC Berkeley.
Susan Wojcicki’s tenure at YouTube was marked by significant achievements and challenges.
She led the platform through the internet’s transformative years, establishing it as a cornerstone of modern digital culture.
Yet, her leadership also came at a time when online platforms faced increasing pressure to address harmful content, including misinformation and hate speech.
Susan Wojcicki’s passing marks the end of an era for both YouTube and the broader tech industry. Her influence, however, will undoubtedly continue to resonate through the many innovations and changes she brought to the world.
“She was not just my best friend and partner in life,” Dennis Troper wrote in his heartfelt Facebook post, “but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many. Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable.”
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