Ex-YouTube CEO, Susan Wojcicki, Dies at 56

Susan Wojcicki, former Chief Executive Officer of YouTube, has passed away at the age of 56 following a battle with lung cancer, as announced by her husband on Friday. Wojcicki, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley and a key player in Google's rise, spent nearly two decades at the tech giant, contributing significantly to its transformation from a startup to a global powerhouse. She joined Google in 1999 as its 16th employee and first marketing manager, after her friends Sergey Brin and Larry Page founded the company in her Menlo Park garage. At Google, Wojcicki was instrumental in developing image search and played a crucial role in acquiring YouTube and the ad platform DoubleClick.

In 2014, she became the CEO of YouTube, leading the platform through its expansion and challenges. Under her leadership, YouTube introduced new ad formats, launched a streaming TV service, and addressed issues related to child privacy, hate speech, and misinformation, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Wojcicki stepped down from her role at YouTube last year to focus on her family, health, and personal projects. Her husband, Dennis Troper, revealed that she had been living with lung cancer for the past two years and expressed profound grief at her passing. "Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many. Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable," he wrote on Facebook.

Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, honored Wojcicki's legacy, noting her profound influence on Google’s history and expressing deep admiration for her leadership and personal qualities. “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. We will miss her dearly,” Pichai stated. Wojcicki was also a vocal advocate for paid parental leave, championing policies that she argued were beneficial for both businesses and families.