The world of jewellery and business is in mourning following the death of Sir Michael Hill, the visionary founder of Michael Hill Jeweller. He was 86.

Hill’s passing was confirmed in a heartfelt statement issued by Michael Hill International Limited to the New Zealand Stock Exchange on Monday, where he served as a non-executive director up until his death.

“Sir Michael was a celebrated jeweller, entrepreneur and philanthropist,” the statement read. “His influence stretched far beyond retail, and his legacy will live on through the brand he built and the lives he touched.”

Born in New Zealand, Hill’s path to global success began not with gemstones, but with music. He dreamed of becoming a concert violinist, but was told at 17 that he had taken up the instrument too late to pursue it professionally. That disappointment led him to join his uncle’s jewellery store in Whangārei – a move that would quietly change the course of his life and the retail industry in Australasia.

“What began as a job soon became a passion,” the company said. “Sir Michael had a natural gift for storytelling, a keen eye for visual merchandising, an instinct for attracting customers and a gift for selling.”

In 1979, alongside his wife Christine, Hill launched the first Michael Hill store in Whangārei. From its humble beginnings, the brand grew into an international success, with stores across New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

Hill was not only the face of the company but its creative heart. He was known for his distinctive television advertisements, his flair for design, and his commitment to reinvention, in both business and life.

The couple married in 1965 and shared a bond shaped by creativity and craftsmanship. They had two children, Mark and Emma, and together built a brand that reflected their shared values.

In April, the company announced that Sir Michael had taken a leave of absence to undergo cancer treatment. He died surrounded by family.

A private memorial will be held in Arrowtown, where the Hills had long made their home.

Sir Michael Hill’s name may be etched into thousands of shopfronts across the world, but his legacy runs deeper: a testament to strength, reinvention and the enduring power of personal vision.

Images: Instagram