Remembering Susan Wojcicki: A Pioneer of YouTube and Google

Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and one of Google‘s earliest employees, passed away on August 9, 2024, at the age of 56. Her husband, Dennis Troper, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, revealing that Wojcicki had been battling non-small cell lung cancer for the last two years.

In his post, Troper described Susan as not only a brilliant leader but also a loving mother to their five children and a dear friend to many. He expressed his profound sadness and gratitude for the time they spent together as a family.

Wojcicki’s journey at Google began in 1999, making her the 16th employee. She played a significant role in shaping the company’s marketing strategies and was instrumental in launching key products like AdSense and Google Image Search. Eventually, she became the CEO of YouTube in 2014, leading the platform through a period of substantial growth.

Under her leadership, YouTube evolved into a vital platform for content creators, allowing them to monetize their work through initiatives like the YouTube Partner Program. Wojcicki also oversaw the launch of YouTube Shorts, aimed at competing with popular apps like TikTok.

Tributes poured in following her death, including a heartfelt message from Google’s current CEO, Sundar Pichai. He praised Wojcicki as central to Google’s history and acknowledged the tremendous impact she had on the world.

Born in Santa Clara, California, on July 5, 1968, Wojcicki came from a family of educators. She graduated from Harvard with a degree in history and literature, before earning degrees in economics and business from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and UCLA, respectively.

Before joining Google, she held positions at companies like Intel and Bain & Co. Her outstanding contributions at Google and YouTube will be remembered by many.