Once again, misfortune has struck a prominent Silicon Valley family. Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has passed away at the age of 56, as announced by her husband, Dennis Troper, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
CEO Announcement by Dennis Troper
CEO Dennis Troper shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, stating, “Now I have to say that Susan Wojcicki passed away. She is my dear wife of 26 years and the mother of our five children. After living with non-small cell lung cancer for two years…” He went on to describe Susan as not only his best friend and partner but also a genius, caring mother, and a good friend to many.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s Tribute
Google CEO Sundar Pichai sent a note to Google employees, expressing disbelief and sorrow at the loss of Susan Wojcicki, who he described as one of the most energetic and lively people he had ever met.
The Battle with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Susan Wojcicki was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of primary lung cancer, which often goes undetected until advanced stages due to its symptoms mimicking common illnesses.
Previous Tragedy in the Wojcicki Family
Earlier this year, Susan Wojcicki and her husband, Dennis Troper, experienced another tragedy when their freshman son, Marco Troper, died from an accidental overdose in his dorm room at UC Berkeley.
Susan Wojcicki’s Legacy at YouTube CEOÂ
Susan Wojcicki became well-known during her nine-year tenure as CEO of YouTube. She stepped down to focus on her family and personal projects she was passionate about. Wojcicki was among the first 20 employees at Google and played a pivotal role in the company’s acquisition of YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006.
Wojcicki’s Impact on Silicon Valley
Under Wojcicki’s leadership, YouTube became a significant revenue generator for Google, contributing $8.1 billion in ad sales revenue last year. The Wojcicki family has long been associated with Silicon Valley, with her sisters Anne and Janet also holding prominent positions in the tech and academic communities.
Google’s Tribute to Susan WojcickiÂ
In his note to Googlers, Sundar Pichai reflected on Susan’s journey from renting her garage to Larry Page and Sergey Brin to becoming one of the most influential figures in tech. He highlighted her contributions to making Google a better workplace. Setting new standards for parental leave, and championing education through YouTube CEO.
Susan Wojcicki’s Philanthropic Efforts YouTube
Despite her battle with cancer, Susan Wojcicki continued to dedicate herself to philanthropy, funding research into the disease that eventually claimed her life. Pichai emphasized her selflessness and the impact she had on the world.
A Lasting Legacy YouTube
Sundar Pichai concluded his tribute by acknowledging the profound loss felt by those who knew and loved Susan Wojcicki. He encouraged the Google community to honor her memory by continuing to build. The kind of company that would make her proud.
