Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda dies aged 75

Summarised from 8 outlets · 10 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 10:14 · Archive

John Frieda, the celebrity hairstylist who styled Princess Diana, Madonna and many other famous clients, has died aged 75.

John Frieda, the celebrity hairstylist who became a millionaire through his Frizz-Ease hair product range, has died aged 75. His salon announced his death on Instagram on Tuesday, saying he passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

Frieda styled numerous celebrities throughout his career. These included Princess Diana, Joanna Lumley, Twiggy, Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Scarlett Johansson. He created the famous Purdey bowl cut for Joanna Lumley in 1976 for her role in The New Avengers television series.

Born Alan Howard Frieda in London in 1951, he came from a hairdressing family. His father owned a salon in Ealing, west London, and his grandfather had been a barber on Fleet Street. He joined the House of Leonard salon as an assistant and worked for British Vogue and Harper's Bazaar before opening his first salon in 1976, aged 25.

Frieda married Scottish singer Lulu in the late 1970s. The couple had one child, Jordan Frieda, but divorced in 1991. After the split, Frieda married Avery Agnelli and had two more children, Jackson and Leyla, as well as becoming stepfather to Asia.

He launched his Frizz-Ease hair care line, one of the first to target hair needs by colour as well as type, particularly focusing on blondes and those with frizz. In 2002, he sold the brand to Japan's Kao Corporation for a reported £260 million. By 2025, he was ranked fourth on a list of the UK's wealthiest beauty industry leaders. His salon also turned over £150 million a year.

The Evening Standard reports that Frieda had been 'bravely battling an illness'. Colourist Nicola Clarke, who counts Madonna and Cate Blanchett among her clients, wrote in a tribute that he had passed away 'after battling an illness so bravely'. His cause of death has not been made public.

His salon's statement said: 'John was more than a mentor to us; he was a true icon of the hair industry. He was the person who taught us everything, believed in us, and made us better.' His stepdaughter Asia said: 'Sadly, my J has passed away. Today we lost the best man to ever exist.'

How it is being reported

• John Frieda, Princess Diana’s hairstylist and beauty mogul, dies at 75Frieda worked with Princess Diana, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Gwyenth Paltrow and more stars during his famed career.New York Post · 4 Nov, 13:40
• John Frieda's life from marriage to Lulu to Princess Diana connection as he dies at 75John Frieda, the British celebrity hairstylist and Frizz Ease creator, has died aged 75 after battling an illness, surrounded by his family. We take a look at his life from his career to his relationship historyThe Mirror · 4 Nov, 10:03
• Princess Diana's hair stylist dies aged 75 as tributes pour in for 'true icon'Princess Diana’s hairstylist, John Frieda, has died aged 75. The celebrated stylist, who built a global hair care empire, died, according to a statement from his eponymous salon. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully...surrounded by his family,” the Instagram post read. The salon described him as “a true icon of the hair industry,” adding: “He was the person who taught us everything, believed in us, and made us better.” TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Beyond styling the hair of royalty and Hollywood stars, Mr Frieda revolutionised haircare…GB News · 4 Nov, 10:00
• ‘A true icon of the hair industry’: Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda dies aged 75Businessman styled stars such as Twiggy, Madonna and Joanna Lumley and created popular hair care line Frizz Ease John Frieda, the celebrity hairstylist who launched his own bestselling hair product range, has died aged 75, it has been announced. In an Instagram post, his salon wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully … surrounded by his family. Continue reading...Guardian Business · 4 Nov, 09:59
• Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda dies aged 75He was stylist to the stars in the 1960s and 1970s before creating a global range of hair products.BBC News · 4 Nov, 09:38
• John Frieda dead: Celebrity hairstylist dies at 75 after 'battling illness' as final moments revealed‘Today we lost the best man to ever exist,’ his stepdaughter said in an emotional statementEvening Standard · 4 Nov, 08:42
• Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda dies aged 75His death was announced on the official Instagram account for his eponymous hair salon.Evening Standard · 4 Nov, 08:03
• Celebrity hair stylist and ‘true icon’ John Frieda dies aged 75John Frieda has died aged 75(Picture: Richard Young/Shutterstock) Stylist to the stars, John Frieda has died aged 75, with friends, family, and fans paying tribute to the hairdresser who became a household name. In a post on Instagram , his salon shared: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share the…Metro · 4 Nov, 07:27
• Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda dies aged 75 as tributes paid to 'true icon'Celebrity hairstylist John Frieda - who styled the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Madonna and Princess Diana - has died at the age of 75The Mirror · 4 Nov, 06:42
• Celebrity hair stylist John Frieda, Lulu's ex-husband, who became a millionaire with shampoo range that carried his name, dies aged 75Frieda, whose clients included Princess Diana and Joanna Lumley, was married to music superstar Lulu for more than a decade.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 03:01

In this story: John Frieda · Princess Diana · Joanna Lumley · Lulu · Madonna · Kao Corporation · Twiggy · London

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log