Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki dies at 56 after battling cancer

Former YouTube CEO and one of Google's first employees, Susan Wojcicki, has passed away at the age of 56, two years after being diagnosed with cancer, Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai announced on the social media platform X on Saturday, August 10.

Pichai said, "Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friendSusan Wojcickiafter 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. We will miss her dearly. Our thoughts with her family. RIP Susan.."

Wojcicki, one of the most prominent women in tech, stepped down from her role as YouTube's CEO in 2023 after serving in the position for nine years.

Wojcicki's husband, Dennis Troper, in an emotional Facebook post, confirmed his wife's death "after two years living with non-small cell lung cancer".

“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 2 years of living with non-small cell lung cancer. 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. 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,” he wrote.

Susan Wojcicki

Susan Wojcicki led Alphabet subsidiary YouTube from 2014 until early 2023. She also served as an advisor to Google and its parent company, Alphabet.

Wojcicko shared a deep connection with Google as in 1998, it was her garage that Sergey Brin and Larry Page rented to develop Google's search engine, as reported by Forbes.

She joined Google as the company’s 16th employee in 1999. She also advocated the acquisition of YouTube for $1.65 billion and later increased the platform’s viewer base to 2.5 billion monthly.

(With inputs from agencies)