Tributes Pour In from Tech Leaders
Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube, has died after a two-year battle with non-small cell lung cancer. Her death was announced by her husband, Dennis Troper, who shared the news in an emotional Facebook post, describing her as a “brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many.” Troper wrote, “Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many. Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable.”
Sundar Pichai leads tributes
Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai expressed his deep sorrow over Wojcicki’s passing in a heartfelt tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter. Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friend @SusanWojcicki after two years of living with cancer. She is as core to the history of Google as anyone, and it’s hard to imagine the world without her. She was an incredible person, leader and friend who had a tremendous impact on the world and I’m one of countless Googlers who is better for knowing her. We will miss her dearly. Our thoughts with her family. RIP Susan.
The news of Wojcicki’s death prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, with many expressing their admiration and sadness. Users on X shared messages like “RIP” and “What a loss to this world. Super sad,” highlighting the widespread respect and affection for Wojcicki.
Susan Wojcicki’s legacy
Susan Wojcicki served as the CEO of YouTube from 2014 until early 2023 and was a pivotal figure in the growth of the platform. Her connection to Google dates back to 1998 when Sergey Brin and Larry Page rented her garage to develop what would become the world’s leading search engine. Joining Google as its 16th employee in 1999, Wojcicki played a crucial role in the acquisition of YouTube for $1.65 billion and later oversaw its growth to 2.5 billion monthly viewers. Her influence on the tech industry and her contributions to the growth of digital media remain unparalleled.