A Tech Visionary and Leader
Susan Wojcicki, known for her pivotal role in the growth of Google and YouTube, passed away on Friday, Aug. 9. Wojcicki was a key figure in the tech industry, having joined Google in 1999 as its 16th employee. Her contributions were foundational in shaping the company’s future, particularly through her leadership in launching Google Video and overseeing Google’s acquisition of YouTube in 2006.
Wojcicki’s journey with YouTube began in 2014 when she became its CEO. During her nine-year tenure, she guided the platform through a period of immense growth, transforming it into a global hub for video content. Under her leadership, YouTube not only became a cornerstone of the entertainment industry but also a significant player in the social media landscape.
A Extraordinary Life Cut Short
Wojcicki’s passing was announced by her husband, Dennis Troper, in a heartfelt post on Facebook. “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 two years of living with non-small cell lung cancer,” Troper wrote. He described Wojcicki as “not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many.”
The loss of Susan Wojcicki is felt deeply by her family, including her sister Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of 23andMe, and the broader tech community. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, expressed his grief in a public memo, saying, “Susan was one of the most active and vibrant people I have ever met. Her loss is devastating for all of us who know and love her.”
“Googlers,
By now you may have heard the news that Susan Wojcicki has passed away after two years of living with lung cancer. Even as I write this it feels impossible to me that it’s true. Susan was one of the most active and vibrant people I have ever met. Her loss is devastating for all of us who know and love her, for the thousands of Googlers she led over the years, and for millions of people all over the world who looked up to her, benefited from her advocacy and leadership, and felt the impact of the incredible things she created at Google, YouTube, and beyond.
Susan’s journey, from the garage she rented to Larry and Sergey … to leading teams across consumer products and building our Ads business … to becoming the CEO of YouTube, one of the world’s most significant platforms, is inspiring by any measure. But she didn’t stop there. As one of the earliest Googlers — and the first to take maternity leave — Susan used her position to build a better workplace for everyone. And in the years that followed, her advocacy around parental leave set a new standard for businesses everywhere. Susan was also deeply passionate about education. She realized early on that YouTube could be a learning platform for the world and championed “edutubers” — especially those who extended the reach of STEM education to underserved communities.
Over the last two years, even as she dealt with great personal difficulties, Susan devoted herself to making the world better through her philanthropy, including supporting research for the disease that ultimately took her life. I know that was very meaningful to her and I’m so glad she took the time to do it.
Susan always put others first, both in her values and in the day to day. I’ll never forget her kindness to me as a prospective “Noogler” 20 years ago. During my Google interview she took me out for an ice cream and a walk around campus. I was sold – on Google and Susan.
I feel so fortunate to have spent so many years working with Susan closely, as I’m sure many of you do — she was absolutely loved by her teams here. Her time on earth was far too short, but she made every minute count.
We’re in close touch with Susan’s family, including her husband and fellow Googler, Dennis. We will share more soon about how we’re going to celebrate her incredible life. In the meantime, let’s honor Susan’s memory by continuing to build a Google she would be proud of.”
-Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO.
A Personal and Professional Impact
Susan Wojcicki’s impact extended beyond her family and YouTube. Her work in building Google’s advertising business, particularly through the creation of AdSense and the acquisition of DoubleClick, was instrumental in establishing Google as a dominant force in digital advertising. Her contributions earned her recognition as one of the most powerful women in technology.
Wojcicki’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of tech leaders, especially women, to pursue their dreams and make their mark in the industry. As the tech community reflects on her life and contributions, Wojcicki’s influence will be remembered as a driving force behind the success of both Google and YouTube.
In Memory of Susan Wojcicki
The passing of Susan Wojcicki has left a void in the tech industry, but her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched. As the former CEO of YouTube and a key figure in Google’s history, Wojcicki’s contributions to the tech world were immense and will not be forgotten. Her dedication to her work, her family, and her community serves as a reminder of the impact one person can have on the world.
