Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, whose garage served as Google’s office, dies at 56 after battling lung cancer

Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has died after her two-year-long battle against lung cancer. She was 56.

Wojcicki was also one of the earlier employees of the Google search engine. She became involved in the creation of Google in 1998 when she rented out her garage as an office to the company’s founders. She worked as Google’s first marketing manager in 1999, and later led the company’s online advertising business and original video service.

Confirming the report of her death, Dennis Troper, Susan Wojcicki’s husband, wrote on Facebook: “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki passing. 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.”

He further said: “Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many. Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable. 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.”

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the death of Wojcicki left him saddened.

“Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friend @SusanWojcicki after two years of living with cancer. 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,” he said.