Silicon Valley: Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and a pioneering figure in the tech industry, has passed away after a two-year battle with lung cancer. She was 56 years old. The news was confirmed by her husband, Dennis Troper, who shared the sorrowful announcement in a Facebook post.
“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki’s 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,” Troper wrote. He described Wojcicki as “not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many.”
Troper reflected on Wojcicki’s immense impact on their family and the world, expressing both heartbreak and gratitude for the time they shared. “Please keep our family in your thoughts as we navigate this difficult time,” he added.
Wojcicki was a central figure in the tech industry, having been one of Google’s earliest employees. She joined Google when it was a fledgling startup operating out of her garage in California and became its 16th employee. Over her nearly 25-year tenure at Google, she played a crucial role in the company’s growth and success.
As YouTube’s CEO, Wojcicki led the platform through a transformative era, overseeing its evolution during a critical period for social media. She stepped down from her role in 2023 to focus on her health and personal projects, leaving behind a legacy marked by innovation and leadership.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai paid tribute to Wojcicki on X (formerly Twitter), stating that she was “core” to Google’s history. “She was an incredible person, leader, and friend who had a tremendous impact on the world and I’m one of countless Googlers who is better for knowing her. We will miss her dearly,” Pichai wrote.
Wojcicki’s tenure at YouTube was characterized by significant milestones, including navigating the challenges of online content moderation amidst growing scrutiny over misinformation and harmful content.