Gap co-founder Doris Fisher passes away aged 94 after iconic career

Gap co-founder Doris Fisher has died aged 94, with the fashion brand paying tribute to her legacy and impact

Doris Fisher, the co-founder of global fashion brand Gap Inc, has died at the age of 94, the company has confirmed. 

She passed away on Sunday in San Francisco surrounded by her family, according to a statement released by Gap CEO Richard Dickson.

Fisher founded Gap in 1969 alongside her late husband Donald Fisher, building what would become one of the most recognisable American retail brands in the world. The company praised her as a “true original” and a pioneering entrepreneur who helped redefine modern fashion retail.

In its tribute, Gap highlighted Fisher’s influence not only on the company’s identity but also on broader culture, philanthropy, and the San Francisco arts scene. The statement described her as a driving force behind Gap’s mission of self-expression, inclusion, and accessible style.

“Doris was a full partner in Gap Inc.’s founding,” the tribute read, noting her “quiet determination” and creative vision that shaped the brand’s early success. The company credited her with helping introduce iconic clothing staples such as denim, khakis, and white shirts to mainstream fashion.

Fisher and her husband Donald built Gap into a global retail powerhouse that now operates thousands of stores worldwide. Her leadership helped establish the brand during a time when female founders were rare in major corporate roles.

The company said further plans to honour her legacy will be announced, calling her impact “lasting and deeply embedded in Gap’s culture and purpose.”

Fisher’s death marks the end of an era for one of fashion’s most influential business figures, whose work helped shape modern retail on a global scale.