Ann Summers founder Jacqueline Gold dies aged 62

Ann Summers founder Jacqueline Gold has died at the age of 62, her family said. The Jewish businesswoman died on Thursday after seven years of treatment for breast cancer.

A family statement said: “It is with unspeakable sadness that Ann Summers confirm our amazing executive chair Jacqueline Gold CBE passed away yesterday evening with her husband Dan, daughter Scarlett, sister Vanessa, and brother-in-law Nick, by her side.”

Her sister Vanessa said: “Jacqueline courageously battled stage four breast cancer for seven years and was an absolute warrior throughout her cancer journey.”

She was made an CBE in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to entrepreneurship, women in business and social enterprise, made especially famous as the lingerie tycoon who introduced sex toys to the UK’s high street.

As well as the chain of shops, which at the time of her investiture employed more than 10,000 people, she launched the Party Plan business for women to buy Ann Summers products at events hosted in people’s homes.

Her death comes just two months after the passing of her father, the late West Ham United football club joint-chairman David Gold. The club has tweeted heartfelt condolences.