Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Passes Away at 56

Tragedy has struck once more for a well-known Silicon Valley family. Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube, passed away at age 56 following a two-year battle with non-small cell lung cancer. The news was shared through a social media post by her husband, Dennis Troper, and acknowledged by Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. This is prepared by SSP.

Troper posted on Facebook, "It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki’s passing. She was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother to our five children, and a dear friend to many. Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable. We are heartbroken, but grateful for the time we had with her. Please keep our family in your thoughts as we navigate this difficult time."

Wojcicki’s death comes shortly after the couple suffered the loss of their 19-year-old son, Marco, earlier this year due to an accidental overdose at his college dorm at the University of California, Berkeley.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed his sorrow on social media, writing, "Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friend (Susan Wojcicki) after two years of living with cancer. She is as core to the history of Google as anyone, and it’s hard to imagine the world without her. 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."

Wojcicki's significant contributions to Google include leasing her Menlo Park garage in 1998 to Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, recommending the acquisition of YouTube in 2006, and later serving as YouTube’s CEO starting in 2014. Her efforts were recognized by Time Magazine, which named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2015. Wojcicki resigned in February 2023 to prioritize her family, health, and personal projects.

Non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer, often reaches advanced stages before diagnosis. Yale School of Medicine notes that 80% of those diagnosed show symptoms typically mistaken for other common illnesses, making the treatable phase longer passed before realization dawns.

Wojcicki made everlasting imprints not just on technology but on those who were fortunate to cross paths with her. Her absence will be deeply felt by her family, friends, the tech community, and beyond.