Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with more details.
An Industry in Mourning
The tech world is reeling from the loss of Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube, who has tragically lost her battle with cancer. An outpouring of tributes has flooded in, notably from Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc.
A Heartfelt Goodbye
Dennis Troper, Wojcicki’s husband, shared the heartbreaking news of her passing on Facebook. In a poignant tribute, Troper mourned the loss of his wife of 26 years and the mother of their five children.
A Fond Farewell: Pichai, in a touching tribute on X (formerly Twitter), lauded Wojcicki’s contribution to Google’s history, labeling her as indispensable. “I’m one of countless Googlers who is better for knowing her. We will miss her dearly,” he expressed.
A Loss Reverberates
Wojcicki’s passing has dealt a heavy blow to the tech community and her family, who had already endured an earlier tragedy this year. In February, Wojcicki’s son Marco Troper, 19, was found deceased in his UC Berkeley dorm, a heartbreaking loss suspected to be from a drug overdose.
Stepping down as YouTube CEO in February 2023 after nine years at the helm, Wojcicki leaves behind a legacy. A pivotal figure in Google’s formative years, she famously rented her parents’ garage to Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, the birthplace of the tech giant. Joining Google as its 16th employee, she devoted 25 years to the company.
Dedicating Decades to Innovation
The imprint of Wojcicki’s leadership and vision will continue to resonate in the world of technology and beyond, a testament to her profound impact and enduring legacy.