Tech Icon and Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Passes Away at Age 56
Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and one of the most outstanding professionals in Silicon Valley, died at age 56 after a two-year struggle with non-small cell lung cancer. Her husband, Dennis Troper, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that she was gone on social media, saying they were in deep sorrow and showing respect to an extraordinary legacy left behind by her.
Susan Wojcicki was an iconic figure in the transformative role she played at YouTube, having served as CEO from 2014 until her stepping down in February 2023. Throughout her nearly ten-year-long tenure, she took the platform to new heights and cemented YouTube’s position as the world’s biggest video-sharing platform, with over 2.5 billion monthly active users. As one of the very few female CEOs in Silicon Valley, Wojcicki’s leadership did not stop at YouTube alone. She helped to build Google’s advertising empire, was a co-creator of AdSense, and pushed for the $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube by Google in 2006.
Susan Wojcicki`s tenure at Google started in 1999, when she became the company’s 16th employee. It was really at Google that she made her mark on ad products and analytics. Her impact at Google ran deep, according to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who called her “one of the most vibrant and active people I have ever met.” He said one of the big changes she made was standing up for better parental leave policies.
Susan Wojcicki recognized that YouTube could become an online learning hub for the world and took charge of the “edutuber” movement, specifically those who increase access to STEM for underserved communities. She led a new standard in tech—passion for education with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
What People Say About Susan Wojcicki
The news of her death sent shockwaves across the tech world, as leaders from all walks expressed condolences and tributes. Neal Mohan, the present CEO of YouTube, acknowledged that Wojcicki has left a lasting impact on the organization: “Her legacy lives on in everything she touched at Google and YouTube.” Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, credited Wojcicki with playing a huge role in her own career: “As one of the most important women leaders in tech, she was committed to expanding opportunities for women throughout Silicon Valley.”
The greatest legacy Susan Wojcicki will leave behind as a pioneer in Silicon Valley is one that will continue to spur generations of tech leaders and innovators in their quest. She contributed immensely to Google, YouTube, and the overall tech community, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. As we remember Susan Wojcicki, we remember her incredible accomplishments but, most significantly, the lives she was able to touch throughout her extraordinary career.
