Susan Wojcicki, a senior official at Google for many years and one-time CEO of YouTube, died last Friday at age 56 from non-small cell lung cancer she had fought for two years. In the early days of Google, Wojcicki rented her Menlo Park garage to Larry Page and Sergey Brin before becoming one of the company’s first 20 employees and playing a pivotal role in its initial growth. In 2014, she was named YouTube’s CEO, leaving the position only last year.
Susan Wojcicki, a vital figure in Silicon Valley and former CEO of YouTube, died last week at 56 following a brave fight with non-small cell lung cancer. But her story in tech began unusually — by famously renting her Menlo Park garage to Google’s founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin as the company’s first office.
The Legacy of Susan Wojcicki and Google’s Formation SusanÂ
The story of Susan Wojcicki closely aligns with the early days of Google. Her choice to rent out her garage for two young entrepreneurs grew into much deeper involvement with the company, where she played an instrumental role in its shaping over time into becoming such a behemoth today. However, it was not just about this initial support – but also what happened afterward when Susan grew along with them, eventually taking charge as CEO for YouTube, which turned it from being any other video-sharing site into something worldwide recognized as such.
Tech Visionary Remembered Through Tributes SusanÂ
Following news about Susan Wojcicki passing away, many people from the tech industry expressed their sorrow by paying tribute to all she has done throughout her career. Marc Benioff,, Salesforce’s CEO,, called her “a pioneer,,” saying that his family had celebrated vacations together, and was always amazed by what their “trailblazing” friend had achieved. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, tweeted how devastated he felt because these were moments when someone like Susan, who represents one-of-a-kind genius, comes around and changes everything forever, thus extending thoughts beyond just them but toward the whole family during this difficult period too.
Contributions to Early Google SusanÂ
One of Wojcicki’s most well-known contributions to tech was renting her garage in Menlo Park to Larry Page and Sergey Brin when they were getting started on Google. She eventually became one of their first 20 hires and played an instrumental role in the company’s success. Susan held this position until she resigned as CEO of YouTube in 2014
Neal Mohan (YouTube CEO)
Today, we lost more than a colleague or mentor – we lost a friend. Susan touched the lives of so many people inside and outside @Google & @YouTube. I am forever grateful for all she did for me & others on our team worldwide. I will miss you dearly my friend.… pic.twitter.com/O8d54pXr7x— Neal Mohan (@nealmohan) March 6, 2022
Melinda French Gates (Philanthropist)
Susan Wojcicki broke the mold. She was a visionary leader who intentionally pried open doors for the many young women who have followed in her footsteps—and she remains a role model for people of all backgrounds who dream of careers in tech as meaningful and impactful as hers.
John Green (Writer and YouTuber) SusanÂ
I’m heartbroken to learn that former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has died. She was (very quietly) the single biggest donor to our project supporting maternal health in Sierra Leone. She never once asked for credit or attention for her gifts–just privately endorsed our project and many others—an exceptional leader and person.
Hank Green (Writer and YouTuber)
A year ago, Susan barely stepped down from her role after leading YouTube for nearly ten highly complex and fraught years. I got to know her reasonably well over that time and found her to be amazingly thoughtful but also surprisingly kind, considering how goddamn brutal she was. This is so fucking sad…
Kara Swisher (Journalist) SusanÂ
She was a true treasure in Silicon Valley; she was a kind, warm, and loving woman who led with integrity and was a tremendous parent to five kids.
Final Thoughts from the Tech Community SusanÂ
The tech community, deeply affected by her passing, shared their admiration for Wojcicki’s contributions and her kindness:
Marques Brownlee (YouTuber)
It is sad to hear the news of @SusanWojcicki’s passing. She took on one of the most stressful positions and handled it with grace and vision. She was incredibly gracious behind the scenes in ways most people never saw. Cancer sucks.
Emily Chang (Journalist) SusanÂ
I’m heartbroken to hear of Susan Wojcicki’s passing. I always looked up to her as a mother of five who also built and led massive products and teams, and I appreciated her willingness to share how she did it, including in this old interview from 2016.
Ron Conway (Venture Capitalist)
The world has lost Susan Wojcicki, one of the most incredible supporters of the tech local area. All the more critically, she was quite possibly the most caring, intelligent person and an extraordinary Mother. We should endeavor to follow her example and make the world a superior place in her honor.
Alex Winter (Director, “The YouTube Effect”) SusanÂ
RIP, Susan Wojcicki. I interviewed her for our YouTube doc, and I found her brilliant, gracious, compassionate, and willing to listen to and consider some intense criticism of the platform.
Ellen K. Pao (Project Include CEO, Former Reddit CEO)
I am so sad to hear about Susan Wojcicki. She made significant changes to make YouTube and the internet safer when it was hard to lead, much less as a woman. She took the time to respond to a message from my daughter and inspire her classmates. I have so much respect for you.
