Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and one of Google’s early team members, passed away on August 9, 2024, at the age of 56.
She had been battling non-small cell lung cancer for two years.
Her husband, Dennis Troper, shared the sad news in a public Facebook post.
He expressed sorrow, remembering her as a loving wife, devoted mother, and brilliant mind.
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, also paid tribute to Wojcicki, reminiscing on her influence on the company and her impact on the world.
Wojcicki joined Google in 1999 as the 16th employee and played a crucial role in its early growth.
She was instrumental in Google’s acquisition of YouTube and served as its CEO from 2014 to 2023.
Throughout her career, Wojcicki was a strong advocate for family benefits, especially paid maternity leave. She also mentored many women on how to balance work and family life.
As the CEO of YouTube, Wojcicki expanded the platform’s reach, particularly on television screens. She also faced challenges like an advertiser boycott over controversial content.
Born in Santa Clara, California, Wojcicki had a strong academic background, with degrees from Harvard, UC Santa Cruz, and UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Neal Mohan, who succeeded her as YouTube CEO, along with many others, recognized her lasting legacy at Google and YouTube and shared their condolences.
