Susan Wojcicki, who served as CEO of YouTube for nine years, steering the platform through a period of massive growth, and was one of Google’s earliest employees, passed away on Friday, August 9, at the age of 56.
Wojcicki’s death, following a two-year battle with cancer, was announced by her husband, Dennis Troper, in a heartfelt Facebook post on Friday evening.
In February 2014, Wojcicki was appointed CEO of YouTube, underscoring Google’s recognition of the video platform’s growing significance to its advertising business. As one of Google’s most senior executives, her leadership was pivotal during a time of rapid expansion and transformation for YouTube. Wojcicki stepped down as CEO in February 2023, but continued to serve as an adviser to the company.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, expressed his deep sorrow in a tribute posted on X, saying, “Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friend @SusanWojcicki after her two-year battle with cancer. She was as integral to Google’s history as anyone, and it’s hard to imagine the world without her.” Pichai added, “Susan was an extraordinary person, a visionary leader, and a cherished friend who made a profound impact on the world. I, along with countless Googlers, am better for having known her. We will miss her dearly. Our thoughts are with her family. RIP Susan.”
Early Career and Joining Google
Wojcicki’s career began in marketing after she earned degrees from Harvard, UCLA, and UC Santa Cruz. She joined Google in 1999 as the company’s 16th employee, becoming its first marketing executive. Wojcicki’s garage in Menlo Park, California, served as Google’s first office, where co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin launched the now-ubiquitous search engine.
Early Contributions at Google
At Google, Wojcicki quickly established herself as a key figure. She was instrumental in securing the company’s first partnerships to license its search technology. Her work didn’t stop there; she led the development of key Google products, including Google Images and Google AdSense, the latter of which revolutionized online advertising by enabling websites to generate revenue by displaying Google ads.
Wojcicki also played a pivotal role in Google’s acquisition strategy, advocating for the purchase of YouTube in 2006 for $1.65 billion. This decision would later prove to be one of the most significant in the company’s history.
Leadership at YouTube
In February 2014, Wojcicki was appointed CEO of YouTube, taking the helm of a platform that was rapidly growing into the world’s largest video-sharing site. Under her leadership, YouTube expanded exponentially, reaching over 2 billion monthly logged-in users. She focused on building a sustainable revenue model, which included launching YouTube Premium, a subscription service, and YouTube TV, a live TV streaming service.
Wojcicki also emphasized content creator support, establishing initiatives like the YouTube Partner Program, which enabled creators to earn money from their content. She navigated the platform through challenges such as copyright issues, misinformation, and content moderation, making significant changes to policies and algorithms to maintain the platform’s integrity.
Innovation and Legacy
During her tenure, YouTube became a central platform for global culture, entertainment, and information. Wojcicki was a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, both within the company and on the platform. She worked to elevate underrepresented voices, introduce new policies against hate speech, and support educational content.
In February 2023, after nine years as CEO, Wojcicki stepped down from her role at YouTube, choosing to focus on family and personal projects while remaining an adviser to Google and Alphabet.
Impact and Legacy
Wojcicki’s impact on both Google and YouTube is immeasurable. She helped shape Google’s early growth and steered YouTube through a critical period of transformation, ensuring its position as a global leader in digital content. Her legacy is one of innovation, leadership, and a commitment to empowering creators and users alike.
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Susan Wojcicki, Former YouTube CEO and Influential Google Exec, Dies at 56