The house on Santa Margarita Avenue in Menlo Park, where Google was founded, holds historical significance as the birthplace of the tech giant. In 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google, rented the garage from Susan Wojcicki, who later became a key figure at the company.
Wojcicki, who initially rented the space to help with her mortgage, soon became intrigued by Google’s rapid growth. She joined the company in its early days and played a pivotal role in its evolution, particularly in the development of its advertising business, which transformed the industry.
Over the years, Wojcicki’s influence at Google expanded, and she led several important initiatives, including Google Ads and AdSense. Her contributions were instrumental in making Google a profitable and innovative company, and she eventually became the CEO of YouTube, guiding it through significant growth and challenges.
Despite her tremendous success and influence, Wojcicki maintained a low profile. She was known for her steady work ethic and wise counsel, which earned her critical roles within Google as it grew into one of the world’s most powerful companies.
Wojcicki also championed family leave policies and was known for mentoring many, including Sheryl Sandberg, who later became COO of Meta. Her groundedness and unpretentious nature, even as a wealthy executive, were notable traits that she carried throughout her career.
She is survived by her husband and four children, though her family faced personal tragedies, including the death of her son Marco earlier in 2023. Wojcicki’s legacy is remembered by many, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, who acknowledged her profound impact on Google and beyond.
Her journey from landlord to one of the most influential figures in tech is legendary, and she speculated that Google’s origins in a residential area influenced its employee-friendly culture. Despite her wealth, Wojcicki continued to work at Google because she found the company’s mission and her role within it endlessly fascinating. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the history of Google and the tech industry.
