# Patagonia: Earth is now our only shareholder

> A founder’s letter announced the transfer of Patagonia, valued at about $3 billion.

- Owner: Patagonia / Yvon Chouinard
- Kind: Campaign
- Sector: Fashion & accessories
- Seed date: 2022-09-14
- Observed peak date: 2022-09-14
- Date basis: Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum.
- Spread Score: 34 (Niche), v1.3
- Mechanics: Maker origin, Transgression, Platform jump, Press loop, Controversy

## Summary

Patagonia published a founder’s letter alongside a New York Times feature. Social posts and television reports carried the transfer beyond customers. NewsWhip’s launch-week chart showed a sharp press and engagement spike; tax criticism followed.

## Timeline

- 2022-09-14 — Patagonia (Open web) — Patagonia told employees about the ownership change at a global town hall.
- 2022-09-14 — Yvon Chouinard / Patagonia (Open web) — Patagonia published Chouinard’s letter announcing that Earth was its only shareholder.
- 2022-09-14 — The New York Times (Press) — The New York Times published a feature alongside the letter about the ownership transfer.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/mcp#api).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/patagonia-earth-shareholder

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Patagonia: Earth is now our only shareholder.” Case HIS-01752. Spread Score v1.3: 34/100. Updated 2026-10-26. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01752