Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold has died at the age of 62, her family have said, tragically just weeks after her dad died.
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.
“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.
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“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.”
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”.
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Jacqueline was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. She recovered but the cancer subsequently returned.
The businesswoman lost her sight while undergoing chemotherapy two years after she was first given the all clear. Jacqueline also underwent a double mastectomy.
In 2020, she revealed she was free of the disease and trying to focus on the future.
Jacqueline tragically lost her baby boy Alfie at eight months, following an emotional IVF battle that saw her fall pregnant with twins at 48 with her husband Dan Cunningham, who is 17 years her junior.
The multi-millionaire businesswoman was told her son had a fatal abnormality and would not survive childbirth.
Alfie defied doctors’ expectations and lived to eight months but was never well enough to leave hospital.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2018, Jacqueline told Lauren Laverne: “Alfie did survive the birth. He was crying when he was born but not as babies do – he was crying because he was in pain. No mother should have to go through that, to hear her child cry in pain.”
Jacqueline Gold went on to reveal her daughter, and Alfie’s twin sister, Scarlett shares her passion for business and has been sitting in on her mother’s meetings since she was five-years-old.
“I desperately want my daughter to grow up believing she can be whatever she wants to be,” she added.
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