Genevieve Marie Craig (née Guidroz; born August 7, 1932) is an American businesswoman who co-founded the weight loss, weight management, and nutrition company Jenny Craig, Inc. Craig was born in Berwick, Louisiana, was raised in New Orleans, and married Sidney Craig in 1979. In 1983, she and her husband created their weight management company in Australia. They began offering similar programs in the United States in 1985. The company was purchased by Nestlé Nutrition in 2006 for $600 million.[1]
Jenny Craig | |
|---|---|
| Born | Genevieve Guidroz August 7, 1932 |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Known for | Jenny Craig, Inc. |
| Spouse | |
Philanthropy
editIn 1992, Craig and her husband committed $10 million to Fresno State University for its School of Business and Administrative Services, later renamed the Sid Craig School of Business.[2] In 1996, the couple committed another $10 million to the University of San Diego, $7 million of which was used to build the Jenny Craig Pavilion, a recreation and sports pavilion that was dedicated in October 2000.[3] In 2022, Craig pledged $5 million to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.[4]
Horse racing
editIn 1995, Craig and her husband bought a thoroughbred horse ranch and breeding operation in Rancho Santa Fe, California, formerly owned by sportsman Gene Klein. This area is home to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Craig has been involved in racing and she and her husband have owned a number of successful thoroughbreds. One of their colts, Dr. Devious, finished seventh in the 1992 Kentucky Derby and also raced in England, where he won the 1992 Epsom Derby.[5] That same year, their future National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame filly Paseana won the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Gulfstream Park. In 2003, their horse Candy Ride won six races in a row including the Grade I Pacific Classic Stakes in which he set a new Del Mar track record for one and a quarter miles. Another Craig owned horse, Sidney's Candy, named after Sid Craig, ran in the 2010 Kentucky Derby.[6]
Health issues
editIn April 1995, while napping in an armchair, she was startled awake, triggering a medical anomaly that mimicked lockjaw but was not, as Craig was eventually able to pry her mouth open. Craig's condition gradually worsened, making it difficult for her to speak and eat. Her dentist diagnosed temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In the spring of 1998, she was diagnosed as having atrophy of her mouth muscles. Corrective surgery was performed, including installing bioabsorbable screws into her cheeks. She then underwent a year of speech therapy.[7][8] Craig has since fully recovered from the debilitating condition.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ Mulier, Thomas (June 19, 2008). "Nestle Says Jenny Craig Weight-Loss Sales Slowing (Update1)". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-18. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "We are The Craig School of Business". Fresno State University. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- ^ "Jenny Craig Pavilion". University of California, San Diego. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- ^ "National WWII Museum Dedicates Jenny Craig Institute". Biz New Orleans. March 24, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Wall, Maryjean (April 29, 1992). "Dr Devious looms as Derby threat to Arazi's breeze". Baltimore Sun. Knight-Ridder News Service. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- ^ "Jenny Craig's Horse Racing in the Kentucky Derby". Archived from the original on 2011-03-28. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
- ^ Rizzo, Monico. "Painful Silence". People. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ King, Larry (March 21, 2001). "Larry King Live: What Does Jenny Craig Have to Say Now That She Can Speak?". CNN. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
