Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher dies at 72

Horst Rechelbacher, the founder of hair and skincare brand Aveda, has died at the age of 72.

He passed away on Saturday, February 15 following a prolonged illness with pancreatic cancer.

Rechelbacher founded the plant-based beauty brand Aveda Corporation and Intelligent Nutrients in 1978, which he later sold to Estée Lauder in 1997 for a reported US$300m, although it continues to be run as a separate entity.

He also worked as a stylist and later as a salon owner, devising a model of economic sustainability for salons and spas.

Aveda paid tribute to Rechelbacher in a statement saying: “It is with profound sadness that today we say farewell to our founder, Horst Rechelbacher, who left his body following a period of illness. His vision inspires us every day, not only at work with Aveda, but in our lives.

“At Aveda, we are, and will be forever grateful to Horst for the Aveda passion we are honored to live every day.”