Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, 71, has filed for divorce from his wife of 20 years, Shannon 'Summer' Wilson, 52, initiating proceedings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in April. The couple, who did not sign a prenuptial agreement, face the division of a significant fortune, with Wilson alone holding approximately 8.6 percent of Lululemon's shares, valued at nearly $1 billion. His wife possesses a roughly 1 percent stake, worth about $100 million.
Chip Wilson, an American-born entrepreneur who resides in Canada, stepped away from the athleisure company he founded over a decade ago. His wife was also a significant early employee, serving as the founding lead designer. Their separation comes after a period marked by Wilson's controversial public statements regarding diversity, inclusion, and the company's product fit.
In 2013, Wilson made remarks that attributed certain pant recalls to the body types of some customers, stating that "some women's bodies just actually don't work for [the pants]." These comments led to Lululemon pulling nearly 17 percent of its Luon pants and offering refunds. The company's stock saw a 17 percent drop following the incident. While Wilson apologized at the time, he departed the company shortly thereafter. In 2024, he further elaborated on his views, suggesting that the company's advertising of "unhealthy" individuals was attracting the wrong clientele and that Lululemon was attempting to become too broadly appealing, like Gap.
Lululemon has since distanced itself from Wilson's remarks. A company statement affirmed that Wilson "does not speak for lululemon, and his comments do not reflect our company views or beliefs." The statement also highlighted the company's commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and action (IDEA), noting significant progress and sustained efforts in these areas since Wilson's resignation from the board in 2015. Lululemon acknowledged that becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization is an ongoing process.
The filing for divorce and the potential division of assets occur as Lululemon's stock has fallen to an eight-year low. Heidi O'Neill, a former Nike executive, is set to take over as chief executive on Tuesday.