The prominent business executive who served as YouTube’s CEO for nine years and was instrumental in Google’s success, Susan Wojcicki, passed away on Friday at 56.
Her family confirmed the news, revealing that she had been battling non-small cell lung cancer for the past two years.
Her husband, Dennis Troper, shared the news on Facebook, expressing profound sadness over her passing. “Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many,” Troper wrote. “Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable.
We are heartbroken but grateful for the time we had with her. Please keep our family in your thoughts as we navigate this difficult time.”
Wojcicki, a pivotal figure in the tech industry, first gained prominence when she rented her Menlo Park garage to Larry Page and Sergey Brin in September 1998, the month Google was incorporated. In 2006, while managing Google Video, she recommended acquiring YouTube, which was purchased for $1.65 billion.
She became CEO of YouTube in 2014 and was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people the following year. Wojcicki stepped down from her role at YouTube in February 2023, after a 25-year career with Alphabet/Google, to focus on her family, health, and personal projects.
In February, Wojcicki faced another personal tragedy with the death of her son, Marco Troper, who was found deceased in his University of California, Berkeley dorm room. The coroner’s report indicated he had high levels of alprazolam, cocaine, amphetamine, and hydroxyzine in his system.
Tributes poured in from across the tech world. Google CEO Sundar Pichai remembered Wojcicki as a “core” figure in Google’s history. “Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friend Susan Wojcicki after two years of living with cancer,” Pichai wrote on X. “She was an incredible person, leader, and friend who had a tremendous impact on the world. We will miss her dearly.”
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan also honoured Wojcicki, recalling their long professional relationship. “Today we @youtube lost a teammate, mentor, and friend, @SusanWojcicki,” Mohan tweeted. “Her legacy lives on in everything she touched @google and @youtube. I am forever grateful for her friendship and guidance. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones.”
