Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Dies Aged 56

Photo Credit: Dennis Troper

Susan Wojcicki, former YouTube CEO, and instrumental figure in Google’s acquisition of YouTube’s video platform, has passed away aged 56.Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, a central figure in developing Google’s AdSense advertising platform who later became CEO of YouTube, has died at the age of 56. Her husband of 26 years, Dennis Troper, revealed the news of her passing on social media. She had been living with lung cancer for the past two years.

After joining Google as one of the company’s earliest employees, Wojcicki led the development of its AdSense software. AdSense has enabled the company to broker ads for millions of independent websites and helped to cement its place early on as a technology giant.

She later became CEO of YouTube, after urging Google to acquire the video platform in 2006. There, she oversaw the site’s business model as it matured into an operation that not only generated billions of dollars for Google’s parent company, Alphabet, but turned YouTube content creation into a viable source of income for many creators. Likewise, she was instrumental in cracking down on controversial content on YouTube that could have hurt its public image in its infancy.Wojcicki stepped down from her role at YouTube in 2023, citing a desire to focus on her family, her health, and personal projects. She has remained an advisor at Alphabet.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, posted a tribute to Wojcicki on the former Twitter: “She is as core to the history of Google as anyone, and it’s hard to imagine the world without her,” he said. “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.”

Susan Wojcicki’s husband, Dennis Troper, revealed she had been living with lung cancer for the past two years. “Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many,” he said. “Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable.”