Susan Wojcicki, a prominent figure in the technology industry and the former CEO of YouTube, tragically passed away on May 31, 2024, after a two-year battle with non-small cell lung cancer. Her death came just six months after the heartbreaking loss of her 19-year-old son, Marco Troper, who died from an accidental drug overdose in his dorm room at the University of California, Berkeley.
Wojcicki had a significant impact on the tech world, starting as one of Google’s first employees in 1999. She played a pivotal role in critical developments at Google, such as the launch of Google Video in 2005 and the acquisition of YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006. Her leadership at YouTube as CEO from 2014 to 2023 saw significant growth, with the platform reaching over 2 billion logged-in users monthly and paying out more than $30 billion to creators, artists, and media companies by 2021.
In 2023, Wojcicki stepped down from her role to focus on her family, health, and personal projects but planned to remain involved with Google’s parent company, Alphabet, in an advisory capacity. Neal Mohan succeeded her as CEO of YouTube.
The tragic death of Marco Troper in February 2024, just six months before his mother’s passing, shocked the family and the tech community. Marco’s accidental drug overdose was attributed to high levels of cocaine, amphetamine, Xanax, and hydroxyzine in his system. Authorities found various illegal and prescription drugs in his dorm room, indicating his struggle with substance abuse.
Susan Wojcicki’s husband, Dennis Troper, shared the news of her passing, expressing deep sadness at losing his wife of 26 years and the mother of their five children. The tech community, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, mourned Wojcicki’s death, acknowledging her significant contributions to Google and YouTube.
The untimely deaths of Susan Wojcicki and her son, Marco Troper, have left a void in their family and the tech industry. Their legacies will be remembered for their impact on technology and the lives they touched.
