Hey there, tech enthusiasts! It’s your favorite techie, Nuked, here to bring you some news that’s both bittersweet and inspiring.

Sad news has come our way as Susan Wojcicki, a pivotal figure in Google’s history, has passed away at the age of 56. Known as the 16th employee of Google, she played a crucial role in the company’s early days and later took the reins at YouTube for nearly a decade. Her contributions were acknowledged by her husband, Dennis Troper, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

Wojcicki joined Google back in 1998 and served as YouTube’s CEO from February 2014 until February 2023. She decided to step down to focus on her family and personal health while bravely battling non-small cell lung cancer. Tragically, her son, Marco Troper, also passed away earlier this year.

In 2014, we recognized her as one of the top 50 influential people shaping the world. Not only did she help Google grow into a tech titan, but she also transformed YouTube into a launchpad for the next generation of stars and influencers.

As one of the most powerful women in the company, Wojcicki reported directly to Google’s co-founders for much of her career. In a notable move back in 2011, she was instrumental in persuading Google’s board to acquire YouTube. Additionally, she was a major force behind Google’s vast advertising empire, helping to create AdSense and orchestrating the critical acquisition of DoubleClick in 2007.

Currently, Google is navigating an antitrust lawsuit from the US Justice Department regarding its alleged monopoly on digital advertising. So, it’s a busy time on that front!

In a heartfelt memo shared with Googlers, Sundar Pichai expressed his disbelief over Wojcicki’s passing. He reflected on her vibrant spirit and how her loss impacts everyone who knew her—especially the thousands of Googlers she led throughout her career.

Wojcicki’s journey from a rented garage to leading teams across various consumer products is nothing short of inspiring. She was also a trailblazer for workplace policies; being one of the first Googlers to take maternity leave, she pushed for better conditions for all employees. Her advocacy for parental leave set new standards across industries!

Passionate about education, she recognized YouTube’s potential as a learning platform and supported “edutubers,” particularly those promoting STEM education in underserved communities.

Even during her battle with cancer over the past two years, Wojcicki dedicated herself to philanthropy and research related to her illness—something that held great significance for her.

Sundar also reminisced about Wojcicki’s kindness when he was a new hire at Google. A simple ice cream outing during his interview left a lasting impression on him. Many share similar sentiments about how loved she was within her teams.

While Susan’s time with us was far too short, her impact was immense. As we remember her legacy, let’s continue building a Google that would make her proud. More updates on how we will celebrate her life will be shared soon!