Celebrity hairstylist and beauty mogul John Frieda, who transformed the hair care industry with his wildly popular Frizz Ease products and styled some of the world’s biggest stars, has died at 75.
His death was announced on November 3 in an emotional statement shared by his namesake salon, which revealed that the legendary stylist passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side. His cause of death has not been disclosed.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully … surrounded by his family,” the salon announced alongside a black-and-white photograph of the smiling entrepreneur.
The tribute described Frieda as much more than a successful businessman, remembering him as a beloved mentor who shaped the careers of countless stylists over five decades.
“John was more than a mentor to us; he was a true icon of the hair industry,” the statement continued. “He was the person who taught us everything, believed in us, and made us better.”
Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, he developed an interest in hairstyling as a teenager while working at his father’s salon. By his mid-20s, Frieda had opened his own business and was quickly establishing himself as one of Britain’s most sought-after stylists.
His career took off in the 1970s when he created the famous “Purdey” hairstyle for actress Joanna Lumley on the television series The New Avengers. The distinctive haircut became a sensation, helping cement Frieda’s reputation as a trendsetter.
Over the years, his celebrity clientele grew to include Princess Diana, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Scarlett Johansson.
But Frieda’s greatest commercial success came when he expanded beyond the salon chair and launched his own hair care empire.
Working with business partner Gail Federici, he introduced Frizz Ease in 1988, creating products designed to tame unruly hair and deliver professional-looking results at home. The brand later expanded with popular collections including Sheer Blonde, introduced in 1998.
The products became fixtures in drugstores and beauty aisles across the United States and around the world, turning Frieda’s name into one recognized by millions of consumers who had never visited one of his salons.
In 2002, he sold his hair care business to Japanese cosmetics giant Kao Corporation for a reported $450 million. He retained ownership of his salons, allowing him to remain involved in the profession that made him famous.
Away from his business empire, Frieda’s personal life also attracted public attention.
He married Scottish pop star Lulu in 1977, and the couple welcomed a son, actor Jordan Frieda. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1991 after 14 years together.
Frieda later found love with Frances Avery Agnelli, the widow of Fiat heir Giovanni Alberto Agnelli. The couple married in 2019 and shared two children, Jackson and Leyla. He also maintained a close relationship with Avery’s daughter from her previous marriage, Asia Agnelli Lagrange.
Following his death, Asia shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram.
“Sadly my J has passed away. Today we lost the best man to ever exist,” she wrote. “I share this because I know he touched the lives of so many.”
Others across the beauty industry also expressed their grief.
Celebrity colorist Nicola Clarke, whose clients have included Madonna and Cate Blanchett, remembered Frieda as one of the most influential mentors of her career and praised his kindness.
Cetera Lamb, creative director of the John Frieda salon in London’s Mayfair neighborhood, described his death as an enormous loss to the profession.
“The industry has lost a true legend, a real maverick in hairdressing,” Lamb wrote.
She vowed that the salon would continue honoring Frieda’s creativity, vision and commitment to exceptional hairstyling.
For more than 50 years, Frieda helped shape beauty trends, build careers and bring salon-quality hair care into ordinary households.
Although his passing marks the end of an extraordinary career, his influence lives on through the stylists he trained, the salons he established and the products that made his name famous around the world.
Frieda is survived by his wife, three children and stepdaughter.People.com+4