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Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold dies aged 62, her family reveal: Lingerie mogul passes away after seven-year battle with breast cancer – just two months after her father West Ham owner David Gold died
Jacqueline Gold – the founder of Ann Summers – has died from breast cancer aged 62 – just ten weeks after her beloved father David passed away.
In a double tragedy for the Gold family in 2023, the businesswoman died on Thursday evening after seven years fighting serious illness.
Her famous father, the co-chairman of West Ham United, who rose from abject East End poverty to a £500million fortune, died after a short illness on January 4 aged 86.
A statement from Jacqueline Gold’s family said: ‘It is with unspeakable sadness that Ann Summers confirm our amazing executive chair Jacqueline Gold CBE passed away yesterday evening with her husband Dan, daughter Scarlett, sister Vanessa, and brother-in-law Nick, by her side.
David Gold with his daughter Jacqueline, who died last night after a long battle with breast cancer
Jacqueline, left, who build Ann Summers into a huge brand, was described as a ‘warrior’ as she fought stage 4 cancer
‘Jacqueline is best-known for founding Ann Summers and leading a business run by women, for women. She was also an activist for women in business, and championed female entrepreneurs with the ambition to better the working environment for women.
‘From an internship to Chief Executive Officer in less than 10 years, her determination and commitment to creating a unique retail offering led to the creation of a multi-channel retail chain, consisting of retail stores, direct sales ambassadors, and a fast growing online and third-party business. It is her vision and creativity that saw Ann Summers grow from an unknown brand to a British household name and stable of the British high street.
‘In recognition of Jacqueline’s significant achievements during her 40-year career, she was awarded a CBE in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to entrepreneurship, women in business and social enterprise.’
The family statement continued: ‘Jacqueline’s death comes just two months after the passing of her father, David Gold, the Joint-Chairman of West Ham United FC. The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at Ann Summers are with Jacqueline’s husband Dan, daughter Scarlett, and sister Vanessa at this extremely sad time.’
Jacqueline, pictured in 2000, began as an intern at the company before becoming CEO. At one point she was sewing bras (pictured)
Ann Summers CEO and Jacqueline’s sister, Vanessa, said: ‘Jacqueline courageously battled stage 4 breast cancer for seven years and was an absolute warrior throughout her cancer journey. In life she was a trailblazer, a visionary, and the most incredible woman, all of which makes this news that much harder to bear. ‘As a family, we are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our wife, mum, sister, and best friend’.
Jacqueline was made an CBE in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to entrepreneurship, women in business and social enterprise.
When David Gold bought Ann Summers with his brother Ralph in 1972, it had four stores.
The London-based company served as a standard sex shop under the ownership of its founder, Michael Caborn-Waterfield.
In 1981 Jacqueline was brought into the company. She quickly set about making her mark, introducing the ‘Party Plan’ concept.
This would see ‘parties’ held at the homes of customers, where women would be given presentations on sex toys and lingerie, as well as play party games.
These proved extremely popular and a good way of getting around laws that prevented sex toys being put on public display.
Ann Summers now has 80 high street stores in Britain and Ireland, and in the years since has become synonymous with the sale of lingerie and adult toys.
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