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Donald FisherFounder of the world famous clothing chain Gap
Date of Birth: 03.09.1928
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Donald Fisher
Donald George Fisher was born in 1928 in California, to businessman Sidney Fisher and clerk Eileen Fisher. He grew up in the suburbs of San Francisco. In 1950, he obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of Berkeley, California, where he also excelled as an athlete. Fisher was an excellent swimmer and represented the university in swimming and water polo teams. After graduating, he entered into a partnership with his father, working in the family real estate business.
Founding Gap Inc.
In 1969, Donald Fisher, who was already married, left the real estate trade and together with his wife Doris, opened their own company, completely unrelated to their previous business - 'The Gap' store. They invested all their savings, $63,000, into the new venture, most of which was intended for their son's education. Fisher was 41 years old at the time. The small store initially opened in San Francisco, where the couple primarily sold 'Levi's' jeans, as well as records and cassette tapes. In the 70s, there was a sharp increase in demand for denim clothing, due to the hippie culture flourishing at the time, and the store quickly became very popular. The Fisher family business rapidly grew.
Success and Expansion
Today, Gap Inc. is a globally recognized retail clothing chain with a turnover of approximately fourteen billion dollars. The company has over three thousand stores in the United States, Canada, Japan, and many countries in Europe. Gap stores appeared in Russia in late 2008. Fisher himself spoke about the success of his creation, stating, "The Gap's formula for success is as simple as two plus two: luck, common sense, and minimal selfishness." The Gap is also known for its vibrant advertising campaigns, featuring artists such as Madonna, Missy Elliott, Penelope Cruz, Diane Kruger, and Annie Leibovitz. The company's plans include opening at least another 100 new stores in various parts of the world, half of which will open in 2013. Gap Inc. also owns the brands 'BabyGap,' 'Old Navy,' and 'Banana Republic.' Fisher's wife, Doris Fisher, was included in the Guinness World Records as one of the "richest women in the world."
Retirement and Philanthropy
Until 1995, Donald Fisher remained the CEO and chairman of the company. Later, Millard Drexler became the CEO. In 2003, at the age of seventy, Donald Fisher stepped down as chairman of the board of directors, remaining only as the honorary chairman until his death. His son, Robert, became the new chairman. After retirement, Fisher developed a serious passion for collecting and was considered one of the largest collectors of contemporary art. He served on the board of trustees of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA). The museum plans to exhibit Fisher's collection, which is one of the world's largest private collections of contemporary art. Fisher donated the collection to the museum shortly before his death. The Fisher collection includes more than a thousand works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning, Anselm Kiefer, Richard Serra, Cy Twombly, and others. In 2007, Fisher and his wife announced plans to build a museum of contemporary art in Presidio Park in San Francisco. However, the project faced opposition from preservationists and local residents concerned about the park's historical preservation, leading to the cancellation of the museum's construction.
Legacy
In addition to being known as a collector and businessman, Donald Fisher was also a prominent philanthropist, supporting educational and social programs. On September 27, 2009, Donald Fisher passed away at the age of 81 from cancer, at his home. His legacy continues through the success of Gap Inc. and his contributions to the world of contemporary art.
