12 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 4
Fisher died in San Francisco on Saturday, and a Gap spokesman confirmed her death.
She and her husband Don founded the retailer in 1969, growing one San Francisco store into a $16bn global brand.
As the company’s longtime fashion merchandiser, she helped shape Gap’s casual style, store format and name, helping redefine how Americans dressed.
Can The Gap's new leadership make the iconic brand cool again now that its founding visionary is gone?
With Doris Fisher's passing, what is the next move for the family that still controls the retail empire?
Doris Fisher, Gap Co-Founder and Philanthropist, Dies at 94 Leaving $70M Legacy in Education and Art
Overview
Doris Fisher, co-founder of Gap Inc., passed away on May 2, 2026, prompting widespread tributes that honored her lasting impact on retail and philanthropy. Inspired by a frustration with finding well-fitting jeans, she and her husband opened the first Gap store in 1969, with Doris naming the brand and shaping its customer-focused approach. Beyond business, the Fisher family’s generous donations to the KIPP education network and their significant art collection loan to SFMOMA reflect Doris’s deep commitment to community and culture. Her values of self-expression, diversity, and inclusion continue to guide Gap Inc., while her family carries forward her philanthropic legacy.