Susan Wojcicki, one of Google’s original employees and the former CEO of YouTube, has passed away at the age of 56. After a two-year struggle with non-small cell lung cancer, her husband Dennis Troper announced her death on Facebook with a touching tribute.
“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki passing. My beloved wife of 26 years and mother to our five children left us today after 2 years of living with non-small cell lung cancer,” Troper wrote. He added, “Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many.”
A legacy at Google
Wojcicki, who joined Google as its 16th employee in 1999, was a major player in the tech industry. Her contributions to the company were enormous; she oversaw the creation of Google’s image search and oversaw important transactions that increased the company’s market share.
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, paid tribute to her on X (Twitter), stating, “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.”
YouTube’s rapid growth with Wojcicki
After Wojcicki was appointed CEO of YouTube in 2014, the video streaming platform saw rapid expansion under her leadership. She oversaw the platform’s difficulties with hate speech and disinformation throughout her 9 years there, helping it grow into an essential component of Google’s advertising business.
Neal Mohan, who succeeded Wojcicki as YouTube’s CEO, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Her legacy lives on in everything she touched at Google and YouTube. I am forever grateful for her friendship and guidance.”
Image courtesty: Susan Wojcicki
