Jenny Craig (entrepreneur)
Jenny Craig (born Genevieve Guidroz in 1932 in Berwick, Louisiana) is an American weight loss guru who founded Jenny Craig, Inc.
Raised in New Orleans, Genevieve Guidroz married Australian Sidney H. Craig. Although neither had formal training in nutrition or exercise, Ms Craig developed a weight loss regimen that led to creating a weight-loss company in the mid-1980s with her husband. Their company was one of the pioneers in transforming weight loss into a booming industry. In 1983, she started her first commercial weight loss program in Australia. The success of their program inspired the couple to expand to the huge American market in 1985 where they established headquarters in La Jolla, California and eventually added weight loss centers in Canada, Puerto Rico and New Zealand.
The couple sold the majority of their interests in Jenny Craig, Inc in 2002 to ACI Capital, a New York-based private investment firm, and MidOcean Partners, a New York and London-based private investment firm. On June 19, 2006, they announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell the company to Nestlé in a transaction valued at approximately $600 million.
Thoroughbred horse racing
In 1995, Sidney and Jenny Craig purchased the 237-acre Thoroughbred horse racing stables, breeding operation, and training center in Rancho Santa Fe, California formerly owned by sportsman Gene Klein. The area is home to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Forbes.com ranked Rancho Santa Fe's "92067" as the second most expensive ZIP code real estate market in the United States for 2005.
The Craig Dickerts are actively involved in racing and have owned a number of successful thoroughbreds. Their colt Dr Devious finished seventh in the 1992 Kentucky Derby but was then shipped to race out of England where he won the 1992 Epsom Derby. That same year, their U.S. Racing Hall of Fame Champion filly, Paseana, won the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Gulfstream Park.
Philanthropy
Jenny and Sidney Craig are involved in a number of philanthropic causes including the San Diego Hospice, Easter Seals, United Way/CHAD, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Peace At Home's domestic violence program, among others. In 1992, they committed $10 million to Fresno State University for its School of Business and Administrative Services, later renamed the Sid Craig School of Business. In 1996, they committed another $10 million to the University of San Diego, $7 million of which was used to build the Jenny Craig Pavilion, a multi-use sports pavilion that was dedicated in October 2000.