American rock climber, environmentalist, philanthropist, and outdoor industry entrepreneur Yvon Chouinard was born on November 9, 1938. The environmental activism of his company, Patagonia, is well-known.
Chouinard enjoys several outdoor activities, but his favorite is tenkara fly-fishing. He is also an accomplished surfer, kayaker, and falconer.
In his writings, he has addressed environmental ethics and the intersection between business and climbing.
In a surprising and unusual act, Yvon and his family gave Patagonia to charity in August of 2022.
Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard Salary & NetWorth
Yvon Chouinard has a net worth of $100 million as an outdoor gear tycoon and rock climber in the United States. The outdoor apparel and gear brand Patagonia, founded by Yvon Chouinard, is noted for its eco-friendly style and commitment to social responsibility.
Some have called Yvon Chouinard the “reluctant” billionaire in the world. Patagonia earns about $100 million annually in earnings off of yearly retail sales of $1 billion. The company was valued at $3 billion, making Yvon’s theoretical personal wealth equal to that amount.
Yvon Chouinard Quick Facts
| Full Name | Yvon Chouinard |
| Age | 83 |
| Date of Birth | November 9, 1938 |
| Mother’s Name | Yvonne Chouinard |
| Father’s Name | Gerard Chouinard |
| Spouse’s Name | Malina Pennoyer |
| Children | 2(Fletcher and Claire) |
| Net Worth | $100 million |
Early Years
On November 9, 1938, Yvon Chouinard was born in Lewiston, Maine. His father was a mechanic, a handyman, and a plumber who was French Canadian. In his early years, Yvon created the Southern California Falconry Club and joined the Sierra Club after the family relocated to Southern California in 1947.
At the age of 14, Chouinard started rock climbing while researching falcon aeries. His first climbing partners included Tom Frost and Royal Robbins. Yvon made his own climbing tools in 1957 after deciding to do so. He learned how to blacksmith, and his friends soon began purchasing his reusable climbing equipment for $1.50 each. As a result, Yvon established Chouinard Equipment, Ltd.
Personal Life
Malinda Pennoyer, a student of home economics and art at California State University, Fresno, was married to Yvon in 1971. The couple lives part-time in Wyoming and part-time in Ventura, California, with their two kids, Claire and Fletcher. Chouinard enjoys surfing, fishing, kayaking, and writing, in addition to rock climbing.
Honors and Awards
Yvon received the Inamori Ethics Prize in 2013 for his “conscientious, humanistic business strategy” and “lifetime commitment to corporate social responsibility.” He received the John Muir Award from the Sierra Club in 2018, and Sierra Club President Loren Blackford commented on the choice to recognize Chouinard: “The commercial strategy of Patagonia is absolutely remarkable. It serves as a model for other companies, big and small. ” In 2021, Lewiston, Maine’s Bates College bestowed an honorary degree upon Yvon.
Publication
- Chouinard, Yvon (1982). Climbing Ice. New York, USA: Random House. ISBN 0-87156-207-3.
- Chouinard, Yvon (2005). Let My People Go Surfing. New York, USA: The Penguin Press. ISBN 1-59420-072-6.
- Chouinard, Yvon; Vincent Stanley (2012). The Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned from Patagonia’s First 40 years. Patagonia Books. ISBN 978-0-9801227-8-7.
- Chouinard, Yvon; Mathews, Craig; Mazzo, Mauro (2014) Simple Fly Fishing: Techniques for Tenkara and Rod & Reel. Patagonia Books. ISBN 978-1938340369
Notable Ascents
- 1961 North Face, Mount Edith Cavell, Canadian Rockies (First ascent with Fred Beckey and Dan Doody).
- 1962 Northeast Face, Disappointment Peak, Teton Range, Wyoming. (IV 5.9 A3) First ascent with Tom Frost.
- 1964 North American Wall, El Capitan, Yosemite Valley – (VI 5.8 A5 3000′) – First ascent with Royal Robbins, Tom Frost, and Chuck Pratt.
- 1965 Muir Wall, El Capitan, Yosemite Valley – (VI 5.10 A3) – First ascent with TM Herbert, June 1965.
- 1968 Southwest Ridge aka California Route, Cerro Fitzroy, Patagonia First ascent of the route with Doug Tompkins, Lito Tejada-Flores, Chris Jones, and Dick Dorworth, 3rd ascent of the peak.
- 1975 Diamond Couloir (direct finish) Mount Kenya, Kenya. First ascent of direct finish with Michael Covington, January 1975.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Yvon Chouinard’s estimated net worth?
Yvon Chouinard has a net worth of $100 million.
- What year was Yvon Chouinard born?
Yvon Chouinard is 83 years old born on November 9, 1938.
- Who is Yvon Chouinard?
Yvon Chouinard is an American rock climber, environmentalist, philanthropist, and outdoor industry entrepreneur
- Who is Yvon Chouinard Wife?
Malinda Pennoyer, a student of home economics and art at California State University, Fresno, was married to Yvon in 1971.
