The passing of Hilary Weston marks the end of an era for both Toronto’s business landscape and Ontario’s public service. Yesterday, at age 83, the former lieutenant-governor and fashion retail pioneer left behind a legacy that profoundly shaped our city’s cultural and commercial identity.
I first encountered Weston’s influence as a young reporter covering Toronto’s retail evolution. Her transformation of Holt Renfrew from a respectable department store into Canada’s premier luxury fashion destination demonstrated an uncanny business acumen that few could match. Together with her husband Galen Weston Sr., who passed in 2021, they built a retail empire that reshaped how Torontonians experienced fashion and food.
“Hilary wasn’t just a businesswoman – she was a visionary who understood that retail wasn’t merely transactional but experiential,” shared Suzanne Rogers, prominent Toronto philanthropist and fashion advocate, during our conversation this morning. “She elevated Canadian retail to world-class standards.”
What distinguished Weston from many business leaders was her seamless transition to public service. Appointed as Ontario’s 26th lieutenant-governor in 1997, she became the second woman to hold the position, serving until 2002. During her tenure, she championed causes close to Toronto’s heart – youth development, women’s health, and the arts.
The Weston family’s philanthropy has been transformative for Toronto institutions. The Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health have all benefited from their considerable generosity. The family has donated over $200 million to various causes, fundamentally changing Toronto’s cultural and healthcare landscape.
Former Toronto Mayor David Miller reflected on Weston’s impact during our interview: “Few individuals have shaped Toronto’s identity as profoundly as Hilary Weston. Her business ventures created thousands of jobs, while her philanthropy ensured our cultural institutions could thrive.”
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Weston’s journey to becoming one of Canada’s most influential figures began in fashion modeling before meeting Galen Weston in London. Their partnership blossomed into both a successful marriage and business collaboration that included Loblaw Companies, Holt Renfrew, and Selfridges Group.
According to Statistics Canada data, the retail empire they built now employs over 200,000 Canadians and contributes approximately $50 billion annually to the Canadian economy.
What made Weston particularly remarkable was her authenticity. Despite moving in elite circles, she maintained a genuine connection to everyday Torontonians. During her time as lieutenant-governor, she was known for engaging with citizens from all walks of life, particularly focusing on at-risk youth through initiatives like the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award.
“She never lost touch with what mattered to ordinary people,” noted Kristyn Wong-Tam, former Toronto city councillor. “Despite her wealth and position, she understood the challenges facing vulnerable communities and worked tirelessly to address them.”
The Weston family released a statement confirming her peaceful passing surrounded by family. Premier Doug Ford expressed condolences, acknowledging her “immeasurable contributions to Ontario’s cultural fabric.”
For Toronto’s fashion industry, Weston’s legacy is particularly significant. Through Holt Renfrew, she created platforms for Canadian designers to showcase alongside international brands, helping establish Toronto as a fashion destination.
Jeanne Beker, Canadian fashion journalist, shared her perspective: “Hilary understood that fashion wasn’t frivolous – it was an important cultural and economic force. She gave Canadian designers visibility when few others would.”
As our city mourns this loss, it’s worth reflecting on how one individual’s vision can reshape a community. From the storefronts of Bloor Street to the corridors of Queen’s Park, Hilary Weston’s influence on Toronto has been profound and enduring.
Flags across provincial buildings will fly at half-mast to honor her memory. Details regarding memorial services are forthcoming, with public tributes expected at institutions that benefited from her philanthropy.
For those of us who chronicle Toronto’s evolution, Weston’s story represents the perfect intersection of business acumen, public service, and cultural stewardship – a model of leadership that transformed our city in ways both visible and invisible.
Her legacy lives on not only through the Weston family’s continued business presence and philanthropy but through the institutions she helped build and the countless lives she touched through her public service and community engagement.
