Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has passed away at the age of 56 after a two-year battle with cancer. Her husband, Dennis Troper, announced her death on Friday evening.
In an emotional post on Facebook, Troper shared his sorrow, writing, “Today, my beloved wife of 26 years and mother to our five children passed away after two years of courageously facing non-small cell lung cancer.”
“Susan was not just my best friend and life partner, but also a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a cherished friend to many,” he continued. “Her influence on our family and the broader world was profound. While we are heartbroken, we are also deeply grateful for the time we had with her. Please keep our family in your thoughts as we navigate this challenging time.”
Wojcicki served as YouTube’s CEO from 2014 until she stepped down in 2023. She was one of Google’s earliest employees, joining the company in 1999. When she resigned from her role at YouTube, Wojcicki expressed a desire to “start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects.”
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his sadness upon learning of Wojcicki’s death. “Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friend Susan after her courageous battle with cancer,” he wrote.
“She was a foundational part of Google’s history, and it’s difficult to imagine the world without her. Susan was an extraordinary person, leader, and friend who left an indelible mark on the world. I, like many Googlers, am better for having known her. We will miss her deeply. Our thoughts are with her family. RIP Susan.”
Wojcicki’s passing comes just months after the tragic death of her 19-year-old son, Marco Troper, who was found deceased in his dorm room at the University of California, Berkeley, reportedly due to a drug overdose.