business
Gap Co-Founder Doris Fisher Dies at 94 Surrounded by Family
Doris Fisher, who co-founded The Gap Inc. in 1969 with her husband Don, died on May 2, 2026, at age 94. She served as the company's merchandiser for nearly four decades and helped build it into a global brand generating over $15 billion in annual sales. Fisher is survived by three sons, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
May 5, 11:00 AM·2m read4 sources
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Died at age 94 on Saturday, May 2, 2026, surrounded by her family. A Gap spokesperson confirmed the death, though The Gap Inc. did not specify a cause. Fisher, born Doris Feigenbaum in San Francisco in 1931, graduated from Stanford University in 1953 with a degree in economics.
She co-founded The Gap Inc. in 1969 with her husband Don Fisher, after he struggled to find a pair of jeans that fit during a shopping trip. Doris Fisher came up with the name 'The Gap' to bridge the generation gap between parents and children.
The first Gap store opened on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco, initially selling men's Levi's jeans and record tapes. Doris Fisher served as the company's fashion merchandiser for nearly four decades, until 2003, while Don Fisher focused on the business side. She remained on the Gap board until 2009 and held the title of honorary lifetime director afterward.
The Gap Inc. went public in 1976. Under their leadership, The Gap Inc. expanded to include Banana Republic and Old Navy brands. The company grew from a single store to a global operation with about 3,570 stores worldwide, generating more than $15 billion in annual sales.
The Gap Inc. reported it grew to a $16 billion brand. Gap CEO and President Richard Dickson, hired in July 2023, issued a statement honoring Fisher. 'There is simply no equal to Doris Fisher,' Dickson stated.
Dickson also stated, 'Doris worked tirelessly to ensure that Gap Inc. Don Fisher died in 2009. Doris Fisher is survived by her three sons Robert, William, and John, along with 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She established the Gap Foundation. Beyond retail, Doris Fisher and Don Fisher amassed one of the largest private collections of modern and contemporary art in the country. In 2009, the Fisher family pledged more than 1,100 works to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
