From salon apprentice to $450 million empire: John Frieda dies at 75
John Frieda, the legendary hairstylist who went from apprentice to building a $450 million haircare empire, has died at the age of 75.
Known for creating iconic hairstyles and working with some of the biggest names in entertainment, Frieda built a career that made him one of the most influential figures in the beauty industry.
We all love seeing how our favorite celebrities look, but have you ever wondered who’s behind some of their most iconic styles? While the stars get all the attention, there are often very talented people working behind the scenes who rarely get the recognition they deserve. One of them was John Frieda.
His death was announced by his salon team in an emotional statement shared on Instagram on November 4.
”It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully … surrounded by his family,” the statement read.
”John was more than a mentor to us; he was a true icon of the hair industry.”
He died of cancer at a hospital near his home, according to Gail Federici, his longtime business partner.
From a family hair salon to the biggest stars
Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, he came from a family with deep roots in the hairdressing business. His father owned a salon, while his grandfather worked as a barber.
Frieda spent time helping out at his father’s salon before deciding to pursue hairdressing himself.
His father wanted him to become a doctor, but Frieda was determined to become a hairdresser, ”to get out of studying”, he said.
He eventually joined the prestigious House of Leonard salon in London, where he became an assistant to renowned hairstylist Leonard Lewis.
It was there that he adopted the name John, as another stylist at the salon was already called Alan. His talent quickly became apparent, and he soon found himself working with fashion magazines including British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Before long, his client list included some of the most recognizable names in the world.
Princess Diana, Madonna, Twiggy, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Nicole Kidman and Scarlett Johansson were among the stars who trusted him with their hair.
He also worked with music legends Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney.
Following Frieda’s death, Paul McCartney mourned his friend on social media.
”Having known John since the 1960s, he always impressed me with his charm and wonderful sense of humor,” McCartney wrote.
He remembered Frieda as an elegant man who always made him laugh, whether they met privately or at a concert.
”I can’t believe I am saying ‘the end’, but it is unfortunately true,” he continued.
