Susan Wojcicki, a notable figure in the tech industry and former CEO of YouTube, passed away on Friday at the age of 56, as confirmed by her family. Wojcicki had been battling non-small cell lung cancer for the past two years. Her husband, Dennis Troper, expressed his grief on social media, describing Wojcicki as not only his life partner and best friend, but also a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a cherished friend to many.
Wojcicki was a significant player in the tech world, having close relationships with Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. She was among the first employees of the tech giant. In a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit, she rented her garage in Menlo Park to Page and Brin in September 1998, the same month Google was incorporated.
In her role at Google, Wojcicki was instrumental in the company’s acquisition of YouTube in 2006. She suggested the purchase while overseeing Google’s video services, leading to the platform’s eventual purchase for $1.65 billion. Wojcicki was appointed as YouTube’s CEO in 2014, and the following year, she was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people.
Wojcicki stepped down from her position at YouTube in February 2023 after a 25-year tenure with Alphabet/Google, the parent company. She expressed her desire to focus on her family, health, and personal projects. Wojcicki and Troper, who married in 1998, have five children.
Earlier this year, the family suffered another tragic loss when their son, Marco Troper, was found dead in his dorm room at the University of California, Berkeley. The 19-year-old’s death was attributed to a lethal combination of drugs, including alprazolam, cocaine, amphetamine, and the antihistamine hydroxyzine.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai paid tribute to Wojcicki, describing her as an “incredible leader” who played a pivotal role in Google’s success. He expressed his deep sadness over her loss and acknowledged her significant contribution to Google’s history.
Neal Mohan, the current CEO of YouTube, also honored Wojcicki, remembering her as a teammate, mentor, and friend. He expressed his gratitude for her guidance and friendship, and acknowledged the lasting impact of her legacy on Google and YouTube.