Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Dies at 56 After Battle with Cancer
Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and a pioneering figure in the tech industry, has passed away at the age of 56 after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Her husband, Dennis Troper, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki’s passing,” Troper wrote. “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. She was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many.”
Wojcicki was a trailblazer in Silicon Valley and played a crucial role in Google’s early development. She was Google’s 16th employee and was integral to the company’s growth, beginning when its founders worked out of her garage in California. Her influence extended to her nine-year tenure as CEO of YouTube, where she guided the platform through significant transformations in the digital landscape.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting Wojcicki’s impact on the company and the broader tech world. “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 wrote.
Wojcicki stepped down from her role as YouTube CEO in 2023 to focus on her family, health, and personal projects. During her leadership, she navigated YouTube through the rise of social media while addressing the growing challenges of misinformation and harmful content on the platform.
Reflecting on her time at YouTube, Wojcicki wrote in her resignation announcement, “I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved. It’s been exhilarating, meaningful, and all-consuming.”
Wojcicki’s passing marks the loss of a significant figure in the tech industry, whose contributions have left a lasting legacy. Her family has requested that she be kept in thoughts as they navigate this difficult time.
