Ex-YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki spoke of ‘new chapter’ focused on health in note – just year before lung cancer death

FORMER YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has died at 56 years old after a two year long battle with lung cancer.

Just over one year before her death, the ex-head of YouTube announced she would be stepping back from her role at the video sharing platform, pointing to a “new chapter.”

AP Photo/Reed Saxon

Getty Images

Mateusz Wlodarczyk/NurPhoto/Getty Images

“Today, after nearly 25 years here, I’ve decided to step back from my role as the head of YouTube and start a new chapter focused on my family, health and personal projects I’m passionate about,” Wojcicki wrote in letter to employees in February 2023.

Wojcicki, who served as CEO for nine years , said the time was “right” for her to step aside.

“I feel able to do this because we have an incredible leadership team in place at YouTube,” she said, adding that she planned to help in the transition for her departure.

Neal Mohan was posed to take Wojcicki’s place .

At the time, Wojcicki said she wasn’t leaving the YouTube family entirely as she would be stepping into an advisory role with Google and Alphabet.

“I always dreamed of working for a company with a mission that could change the world for the better,” the then-CEO told employees.

“Thanks to you and your vision, I got the chance to live that dream. It has been an absolute privilege to be a part of it, and I’m excited for what’s next.”

Her death was confirmed by her husband, Dennis Troper , in a Facebook post .

“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki passing,” Troper wrote.

“My beloved wife of 26 years and mother to our five children left us today after 2 years of living with non-small cell lung cancer.”

Troper went on to describe Wojcicki as his best friend, partner in life, as well as a “brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many.”

“Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable,” he wrote, sharing several images of the two together throughout their relationship.

“We are heartbroken, but grateful for the time we had with her. Please keep our family in your thoughts as we navigate this difficult time.”

The couple shared five children together, including 19-year-old Marco Troper who tragically passed away earlier this year.

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.

Sundar Pichai Google CEO

Marco’s grandmother, Esther Wojcicki, confirmed the young man’s death on Facebook in February 2024.

Troper and Wojcicki had been married since 1998.

Both were prominent figures in the tech world during the early 2000s, with both joining the Google team early on.

Before working for YouTube, Wojcicki was hired at Google’s 16th employee, according to CNN.

She proceeded to work for the top tech company for nearly 25 years.

Even before she was hired by Google, Wojcicki played a key role in the company’s founding.

In 1998, she rented out her Silicon Valley garage to co-founder Larry page and Sergey Brin, where the company got its start.

Early Saturday, current Google GEO Sundar Pichai expressed condolences over Wojcicki death.

“Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friend @SusanWojcicki after two years of living with cancer,” Pichai wrote on X .

“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.”