May 05, (THEWILL) — Doris Fisher, co-founder of Gap Inc., has died at the age of 94.
She passed away in San Francisco on Saturday, May 2, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Gap CEO, Richard Dickson, confirmed her death in a statement on Monday, May 4, 2026. He called her “a true original” and a “path-breaking entrepreneur at a time when that was highly unusual for women.”
The company did not disclose the cause of death.
Fisher and her husband, Donald Fisher, opened the first Gap store in 1969 in San Francisco. The store first sold Levi’s jeans, records, and cassette tapes.
She created the name “The Gap”, referring to the generation gap between parents and baby boomers. The brand grew into a global retailer focused on casual clothing.
The company expanded quickly during the 1970s denim boom and later became a global fashion retailer, operating thousands of stores worldwide, including Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta.
Fisher played a key role in merchandising and brand development. She remained a consultant until 2003 and served on the board until 2009.
Beyond business, she helped establish the Gap Foundation and supported education and arts philanthropy. She and her husband also donated a major modern art collection to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Donald Fisher died in 2009. The couple had three sons who remain involved in business and charitable work.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
