Susan Wojcicki, Former YouTube CEO, Dies at 56 After Battle with Cancer

Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and one of the earliest employees at Google, passed away on Friday at the age of 56 after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Her husband, Dennis Troper, announced her death in a heartfelt Facebook post, expressing profound sadness and gratitude for the time they shared. Wojcicki's impact on both her family and the tech world was described as immeasurable, with tributes pouring in from colleagues and friends. Wojcicki joined Google in 1999 as its 16th employee and became the company's first marketing manager. She played a pivotal role in the acquisition of YouTube in 2006 and later served as its CEO from 2014 until her resignation in February 2023. Under her leadership, YouTube's revenue soared to over $30 billion, and its user base grew to nearly 3 billion. However, her tenure was not without controversy, as she faced criticism for the platform's handling of misinformation and harmful content. Born in Santa Clara, California, Wojcicki was raised on the Stanford University campus, where her father was a professor. She earned an MBA from UCLA and was known for her advocacy for paid parental leave and support for working mothers. Wojcicki's legacy includes her contributions to the tech industry and her mentorship of many within Google and YouTube. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, expressed his sorrow over Wojcicki's passing, highlighting her significant role in the company's history. As the tech community mourns her loss, Wojcicki is remembered not only for her professional achievements but also for her kindness and dedication to her family.