Susan Wojcicki, a pivotal figure in the tech industry and former CEO of YouTube, passed away on August 9 at the age of 56. Wojcicki had been courageously battling lung cancer for the past two years. Her husband, Dennis Troper, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Facebook post, reflecting on her role as a devoted wife and mother of five.
Wojcicki’s journey with Google began in 1999, making her one of the company’s earliest employees. Her influence extended far beyond her tenure at Google, culminating in her role as YouTube’s CEO. She led YouTube for nine years, driving its growth and innovation, before stepping down in February 2023 to focus on personal projects and health.
Tragically, earlier this year, Wojcicki experienced the devastating loss of her 19-year-old son, Marco Troper. Marco was found dead in his University of California, Berkeley dorm room. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office reported that his death resulted from a combination of high levels of alprazolam (an anti-anxiety medication), cocaine, amphetamine, and the antihistamine hydroxyzine. Low levels of THC were also detected in his system. The impact of this loss on Wojcicki and her family was profound.
In the wake of her passing, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, paid tribute to Wojcicki, calling her an “incredible leader” who was central to Google’s success. Pichai described her as a core figure in the history of the company and noted that her contributions had made a significant impact on the tech world.
Neal Mohan, the current CEO of YouTube, also honored Wojcicki’s memory, praising her as a mentor and friend. Mohan recalled meeting her 17 years ago during the DoubleClick acquisition and expressed his gratitude for her guidance and friendship. He conveyed deep sympathy for her family and acknowledged her lasting legacy at both Google and YouTube.
Susan Wojcicki’s death marks the end of an era for many in the tech community. Her legacy is one of innovation, leadership, and a profound impact on the industry. Despite her personal struggles, Wojcicki remained committed to improving the world through her philanthropic efforts, including supporting research for cancer.
Her passing is a significant loss to her family, colleagues, and the broader tech community. Her contributions and the mark she left on the industry will be remembered for years to come.
