Dirtbag Billionaire

New York Times bestselling author Gelles reveals how Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, turned the business world on its head and became a global leader in ethical business practices before giving away the source of his wealth.

‘In Dirtbag Billionaire, David Gelles chronicles the life of Yvon Chouinard in a manner that is as spirited and unflinching as his subject.’ FORMER US VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE

Dirtbag Billionaire is the inside story of one of the most extraordinary brands in the world. Founded in 1973, Patagonia has grown into a wildly popular producer and retailer of jackets, hats and fleece vests, posting sales of more than a billion dollars a year. For decades, it has also been a beacon for social change and corporate activism.

At the heart of the story is Patagonia’s founder, the legendary rock climber Yvon Chouinard. Guided by his anti-authoritarian streak and his commitment to preserving the natural world, Patagonia exerted a powerful influence on other companies, paving the way for a new era of environmental responsibility. Chouinard started out as a dirtbag-an affectionate term for someone happy to sleep outdoors-and he became a billionaire. But, in the twilight of his career, he gave away Patagonia, renouncing his wealth and committing the company’s profits to fighting the climate crisis.

Drawing on exclusive access to Chouinard and the Patagonia team, bestselling author David Gelles describes the key moments that shaped the company and its leader, creating a new model for corporate life and ethics.

‘A riveting behind-the-scenes look at Patagonia-and how the trailblazing company redefined business and purpose….essential reading.’ CHARLES DUHIGG, bestselling author of Supercommunicators and The Power of Habit

‘Highly entertaining.’ HARRY WALLOP, Times

Chouinard’s fascinating, daring and contradictory life is unique in the annals of modern business, and Gelles shows us why in vivid, sympathetic detail.’ JOHN VAILLANT, bestselling author of Fire Weather

‘A rebel’s guide to giving a damn. Brilliant and real. Excellently written. A must must-read!’ NICK BILTON, New York Times bestselling author of American Kingpin

‘More than a simple biography of an enigmatic business figure, Dirtbag Billionaire is a case study in the cultural and political potential – and limitations – of corporate design and ownership in today’s extractive economic system. Gelles presents Chouinard as a revolutionary in sport, commerce and philanthropy – an imperfect and often paradoxical founder whose story shows that building a sustainable world requires not perfection but persistence.’ Washington Post

Author Biography

David Gelles is an award-winning reporter for the New York Times. He currently writes for the climate desk and previously wrote for the business section and was the “Corner Office” columnist. His latest book, The Man Who Broke Capitalism, was a New York Times bestseller. He lives in New York City with his family.