Jacqueline Gold's best friend pays tribute to Ann Summers tycoon in emotional ... trends now
Jacqueline Gold's best friend has revealed her heartache in a poignant tribute - after staying by her hospital beside days before she died of breast cancer aged 62.
The Ann Summers tycoon passed away on Thursday evening following a seven-year battle with stage 4 cancer having briefly, and tragically, been given the all clear in 2020.
Sharing photographs of them together, Jacqueline's close friend Carole Mackie took to Instagram to describe the businesswoman as 'an absolute force for good' and an 'inspirational leader'.
She wrote: 'My heart is truly broken.. I have lost the bestist (sic) friend in the world. It is with the greatest sadness today that Ann Summers have shared the news that our beloved Jacqueline Gold passed away yesterday evening.
'Everyone at Ann Summers and across our powerful Sisterhood - the iconic channel Jacqueline built single handed can not help but feel the pain of such a loss today.
The Ann Summers tycoon passed away on Thursday evening following a seven-year battle with stage 4 cancer
Sharing photographs of them together, Jacqueline's (right) close friend Carole Mackie (left) took to Instagram to describe the businesswoman as 'an absolute force for good'
'"There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise. " - Bosa Sebele.
'No truer words could have been spoken about JG, she was an absolute force for change, for good, an activist for every woman, everywhere. And despite unthinkable challenges on her journey she continued to have courage, confidence and succeed in everything she put her mind to.
The post added: 'The entire Sisterhood channel and I owe JG everything, for without her, we would not be here, this opportunity would not exist to help others and the incredible 42 years the channel has had since it first began would never have happened.
'From a wicked sense of humour just like DG, taking a stand on her passions, the stories, time we shared together with the Sisterhood to the inspirational Leader she was to myself and so many… Thank you, Jacqueline, for everything.
'My heart is with Scarlett, Vanessa Gold Dan and the entire AS family.'
In a second post shared earlier today, Jaqueline's sister Vanessa also revealed Ms Mackie had been at her bedside during her final days.
Vanessa, who will take over as Ann Summers CEO, wrote: 'I can’t express my love and thanks to @myreikistar (Ms Mackie) enough. Our best friend has been by Jacqueline's hospital bed and my side and she has been unwavering in her support to us through this journey.
'Our hearts are broken together but I’m so grateful to have her with us through at devastating time.'
It comes after she posted her own tribute to her sister earlier today.
Vanessa said: 'Jacqueline courageously battled stage 4 breast cancer for seven 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 bear.
'As a family, we are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our wife, mum, sister, and best friend.'
Jacqueline was surrounded by close family when she died, including her husband, daughter and her sister Vanessa, who took over Ann Summers in 2022 and today described her sibling as 'an absolute warrior' having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 - the year she was handed a CBE.
David Gold with his daughter Jacqueline, who died last night after a long battle with breast cancer
Jacqueline, left, with her sister Vanessa and David Gold's partner Lesley Manning (right) in January as they laid flowers for Mr Gold on Green Street, where he grew up, after his death in January
Jacqueline Gold, then 49, and husband Dan Cunningham, then 33, with the couple's then one-year-old daughter Scarlett on their wedding day at Oxfordshire's Blenheim Palace in 2010
Jacqueline, left, who build Ann Summers into a huge brand, was described as a 'warrior' as she fought stage 4 cancer
Her famous father, the co-chairman of West Ham United, rose from abject East End poverty to a £500million fortune, died after a short illness on January 4 aged 86. He handed Jacqueline Ann Summers and its four stores to Jacqueline in 1981 - today it has 80 stores and annual sales of £113.8million.
A statement from Jacqueline Gold's family 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'.
Jacqueline was last pictured laying flowers for her father in the East End of London on the day of his funeral two months ago. She was heartbroken at this death and said at the time that the Gold family had lost 'our hero'.
Jacqueline was made a CBE in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to entrepreneurship, women in business and social enterprise.
Jacqueline shared this picture of her with her father at the London Stadium after his death, calling him her 'hero'
In the same year she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she credited with transforming her life because it forced her to enjoy things more.
She wrote last year: 'It's no secret I have been through a lot of tragedy in my life. Whilst I would prefer things to have been different, I cope by finding the opportunity in a bad situation. For example, if it wasn’t for my breast cancer diagnosis six years ago I wouldn’t be living my best life now. If you train your mind to find the positive in every event you will banish worry and feel empowered'.
As well as battling breast cancer, she had also struggled to have children.
After a failed marriage she met Dan Cunningham, a City broker 17 years her junior.
They split in 2006 after three failed IVF attempts - but got back together and married in 2010.
In 2009 the couple lost their son Alfie at eight months.
The multi-millionaire businesswoman was told her son Alfie had an abnormality that meant he would not survive childbirth.
But the little boy fought for eight months after birth but was never well enough to leave hospital. Alfie's twin sister, Scarlett, survived and was her mother's pride and joy.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in 2018, Jacqueline said: 'Alfie did survive the birth. He was crying when he was born but not as babies do - he was crying because he was in pain. No mother should have to go through that, to hear her child cry in pain.'
She added: 'I desperately want my daughter to grow up believing she can be whatever she wants to be.'
David Gold said Jacqueline and her sister Vanessa had transformed Ann Summers. When he bought the brand with his brother
