Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has passed away at the age of 56, as confirmed by her husband, Dennis Troper, who shared the news on social media. He revealed that she had been battling non-small cell lung cancer for the past two years.
Troper expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “Susan was not only my best friend and life partner but also a brilliant intellect, a devoted mother, and a cherished friend to many. Her influence on our family and the broader world was profound.”
Wojcicki resigned from her position at YouTube last year after nearly ten years at the helm, making her the only woman leading a major social media platform at that time. She had been with Google since its inception in 1998, where she played a pivotal role in its early development, and she took charge of YouTube in 2014 following its acquisition by Google in 2006.
During her leadership, YouTube’s monthly user base grew to over 2 billion, and the platform implemented various monetization strategies for content creators. However, it also faced scrutiny regarding its management of controversial content, including hate speech and misinformation.
In a letter to employees last year, Wojcicki mentioned her desire to focus on personal projects. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, expressed his profound sadness over her passing, stating, “She is as integral to the history of Google as anyone, and it is truly heartbreaking to have to navigate life without her.” Troper added, “She was an extraordinary individual, a remarkable leader, and a friend whose impact on the world was immense. I, along with countless others at Google, am better for having known her.”
