John Frieda, Iconic Hairstylist to Princess Diana and Madonna, Dies at 75

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John Frieda, the British celebrity hairstylist and beauty mogul who worked with Princess Diana, has died. He was 75.

Frieda’s death was confirmed by his salon in an Instagram statement on Tuesday.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully ….surrounded by his family,” the statement began.

The salon said Frieda “was more than a mentor to us; he was a true icon of the hair industry” and “he was the person who taught us everything, believed in us, and made us better.”

“His talent and passion touched so many, and his legacy will live on in every single one of us,” the tribute continued. “We will continue to do him proud.

The salon concluded the post, “Our thoughts are with John’s family and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, John. You will be forever in our hearts.”

Frieda’s stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange, shared her own tribute to the beauty entrepreneur, calling him “the best man to ever exist.”

Lagrange also recongized that Frieda “touched the lives of so many.”

Frieda’s cause of death has not been disclosed.

Frieda worked with Diana in 1980, styling her blonde pixie cut for a portrait session with photographer Lord Snowdon, which was published in Vogue when she got engaged to then-Prince Charles.

His other famous clients included Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Diana Ross.

Frieda was born in London in 1951. His father, Isidore Frieda, owned a salon and wanted his son to become a doctor, but Frieda ultimately followed in his dad’s career footsteps.

“I became a hairdresser for all the wrong reasons, to get out of studying,” Frieda told The Standard in 2012. “My father was very angry. But when he realized I was determined, he said I must work for the top salon in London.”

At age 16, Frieda worked at House of Leonard and became Lewis Leonard’s assistant. He helped out on shoots with some of Leonard’s top clients, including Jackie Onassis and the Beatles.

Frieda famously created the “Purdey” hairstyle Joanna Lumley wore in the 1970s TV series “The New Avengers.”

Frieda opened his own salon in London at age 25 before launching branches in Los Angeles and New York City.

In the 1980s, Frieda created his own product line, John Frieda Professional Hair Care, and launched the Frizz Ease brand, which became available in the US in 1990. The brand became globally popular, selling in drugstores and salons.

Frieda eventually sold his haircare company to Japanese conglomerate Kao for $450 million, though he kept ownership of his five salons, including two in NYC.

Frieda was married twice, first to Scottish pop singer and actress Lulu from 1977 to 1991. They welcomed son Jordan, before their divorce.

The hairdresser met his second wife, Avery Agnelli, the widow of Fiat heir Giovanni Agnelli, in 2002, and they tied the knot in 2019.

With Agnelli, Frieda had two children and a stepdaughter.

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