ANN Summers boss Jacqueline Gold is laid to rest yesterday — with her brand’s famous rabbit etched into her coffin.
The lingerie trailblazer was celebrated by celebrity mourners including The Apprentice’s Karren Brady, TV host Eamonn Holmes and late footballing great George Best’s ex-wife Alex.
Mourners packed out the historic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, South London, to say goodbye to the retail giant, who died of breast cancer aged 62 last month.
Her dad, David, died weeks earlier.
Her company, Ann Summers, paid tribute to their boss in an online post, yesterday which read: “Today we celebrate all that she was, tomorrow (& everyday) we continue her legacy.”
Jacqueline Gold was one of the most successful businesswomen in the UK.
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The tycoon transformed the retailer into a multi-million pound business after joining the company aged just 19.
She had the idea to transform the brand from a standard sex shop into a more female-friendly chain as part of the Party Plan concept.
She was appointed Ann Summer's chief executive in 1987 and the brand now has 140 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Her success also led to appearances on the celebrity edition of The Apprentice and ITV show Fortune – Million Pound Giveaway.
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Jacqueline's family announced her death via social media, writing: "It is with unspeakable sadness I’m writing to let you know that my incredible sister – our amazing Ann Summers Executive Chair, Jacqueline, passed away yesterday evening with Dan, Scarlett, Nick and I by her side on the final steps of her incredible journey.
"Jacqueline courageously battled stage 4 breast cancer for 7 years and was an absolute warrior throughout her cancer journey.
"In life she was a trailblazer, a visionary, and the most incredible woman, all of which makes this news that much harder to share.
"As a family, we are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our wife, mum, sister and best friend. I appreciate so many of you will want to pay your respects to our incredible Jacqueline, but for now, we ask for time to grieve this huge loss to our family, privately."
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