Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has moved to end his two-decade marriage, filing for divorce from his wife, Shannon “Summer” Wilson, in a case that could draw attention because the couple reportedly never signed a prenuptial agreement.
Wilson, 71, the entrepreneur behind the global athletic apparel and athleisure brand, is separating from Shannon, 52, who was also closely tied to the company’s early rise as both his spouse and business partner.
The U.S.-born businessman, who was raised in Canada and continues to live there, filed a family law proceeding in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in April, Bloomberg reported.
Details about what led to the end of the Wilsons’ marriage after 20 years have not been made public, though people familiar with the situation told the outlet the couple had discussed their separation with friends.
According to Bloomberg, the Wilsons did not have a prenuptial agreement in place, leaving questions about how their wealth and shared assets may ultimately be divided.
Both Chip and Shannon Wilson stepped back from Lululemon more than a decade ago. Shannon was among the company’s earliest employees and served as its founding lead designer, helping shape the look of the brand during its formative years.
Chip Wilson’s departure from the public face of the company was followed by repeated controversy, including remarks in which he criticized what he called the “whole diversity and inclusion thing,” arguing it had hurt the brand.
He also sparked backlash in 2013 after making comments about some customers’ bodies and weight while discussing Lululemon yoga pants that had been recalled because the fabric was too sheer and exposed women’s backsides.
Chip Wilson, 71, is divorcing from his wife and business partner Shannon ‘Summer’ Wilson, 52, after he left the company following a controversial string of comments on the brands customers
Wilson stepped away from the ‘athleisure’- wear company over a decade ago along with his wife, who worked as Lululemon’s founding lead designer and one of the first employees
The American-born entrepreneur who was raised and lives in Canada filed a family legal proceeding in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in April. Pictured: Chip and Summer Wilson
‘Quite frankly, some women’s bodies just actually don’t work for [the pants],’ he told Bloomberg in 2013.
‘It’s more really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there over a period of time, how much they use it.’
The company was forced to pull nearly 17 percent of its popular black Luon pants and offered full refunds or exchanges after customers complained that they were see-through.
Stock for Lululemon dropped by 17 percent after grossing nearly $1.4 billion in sales the year prior, ABC News reported at the time.
Although Wilson later apologized for the comments, he departed the company not long after.
Wilson would later tell Forbes in 2024 that the company’s decision to advertise ‘unhealthy’ and ‘sickly’ people was drawing in the wrong clientele.
The founder accused the company of ‘trying to become like Gap’ by appealing to the masses, or becoming ‘everything to everybody.’
‘I think the definition of a brand is that you’re not everything to everybody,’ he told the outlet. ‘You’ve got to be clear that you don’t want certain customers coming in.’
Exact circumstances surrounding the couple’s split after 20 years of marriage remains unclear, however sources familiar with the matter told the outlet that the pair spoke of their separation with friends
Wilson made controversial comments in 2013 on the bodies and weight of some of his customers, who he said caused him to recall pants in the store over sheerness that revealed women’s rears
Wilson said in 2024 that the company’s decision to advertise ‘unhealthy’ and ‘sickly’ people were drawing in the wrong clientele. The founder accused the company of ‘trying to become like Gap’ by appealing to the masses, or becoming ‘everything to everybody’
Wilson now holds around 8.6 percent of Lululemon’s shares, equating to just less than $1 billion. His wife also holds around a one percent stake in the company, valued at roughly $100 million
Lululemon said in a statement to TODAY at the time that Wilson ‘does not speak for lululemon, and his comments do not reflect our company views or beliefs.’
‘Chip has not been involved with the company since his resignation from the board in 2015 and we are a very different company today.
‘Lululemon is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment throughout our organization and across our communities. We have made considerable progress since launching our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action (IDEA) function, and we are proud of the goals we have achieved.
‘We also recognize that becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization takes time and is only possible through the sustained efforts of our leaders and our people. We remain steadfast in our commitment to become a more inclusive and diverse company.’
Wilson now holds around 8.6 percent of Lululemon’s shares, equating to just less than $1 billion, Bloomberg reported.
His wife also holds around a one percent stake in the company, valued at roughly $100 million, according to the outlet.
Lululemon has shares sitting at their lowest in eight years, with stock that fell by 17 percent last week.
Former Nike Inc executive Heidi O’Neill is set to come in as chief executive on Tuesday, the outlet reported.
Our News Outlet reached out to Lululemon and attempted to reach Chip and Summer Wilson for comment.
