The founding father of a multimillion-dollar lingerie and intercourse toy empire has died aged simply 62.
Jacqueline Gold based Britain’s Ann Summers which has greater than 100 shops throughout the UK and Ireland promoting bras, knickers, stockings, vibrators and furry handcuffs.
The British tycoon reworked the retailer right into a multimillion pound business after becoming a member of the corporate aged simply 19.
Her success made her the sixteenth richest lady in Britain with a internet value of round $854 million, reported The Sun.
Ms Gold was the daughter of Premier League soccer membership West Ham United chairman David Gold, who handed away in January.
The mogul, who had been receiving remedy for breast most cancers for seven years, just lately paid tribute to her “hero” dad.
She shared a shifting sequence of photographs of her father by way of the years, with the caption: “We will always be so proud of you Dad”.
Ms Gold’s household introduced her tragic loss of life with “unspeakable sadness” immediately.
They stated she died along with her husband, daughter, sister and brother-in-law by her facet.
The household added: “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.”
Ms Gold’s sister Vanessa added: “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”.
Ms Gold turned Ann Summers from a run-of-the-mill intercourse store right into a female-friendly chain all through Britain.
The tycoon famously launched the “Party Plan” idea, which noticed erotic product events held on the properties of shoppers.
Women could be given displays on intercourse toys and lingerie, in addition to play social gathering video games – with one rule: no males allowed.
The savvy plan allowed Ann Summers to get round legal guidelines that prevented intercourse toys being placed on public show.
Ms Gold grew to become chief govt of the corporate in 1987 with 140 shops now scattered throughout the UK and Ireland.
A string of celebrities, together with Love Island UK favourites Tasha Ghouri and Megan Barton-Hanson, have since modelled for the chain.
In 2000, Ann Summers acquired the Knickerbox model, which now has a concession in each retailer.
Away from the boardroom, Jacqueline has appeared on the UK celeb version of The Apprentice and ITV present Fortune – Million Pound Giveaway.
Her household immediately praised the tycoon, who was awarded a CBE for providers to entrepreneurship, girls in business and social enterprise in 2016.
They added: “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 multichannel 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.”
West Ham additionally paid tribute to the tycoon, saying the membership has been left “deeply shocked and saddened”.
This story appeared in The Sun and is reproduced with permission.
Source: www.news.com.au
