British celebrity hairstylist and beauty icon John Frieda has sadly passed away at the age of 75.
His family confirmed on 3 November 2026 that Frieda passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, following a brave battle with an undisclosed illness.
His passing marks the end of an era for global hair culture, leaving behind a legacy that transformed both high-fashion styling and everyday consumer hair care.
Born in London in 1951, Frieda was destined for the industry as the son of an established hair salon owner. He rose to prominence in the 1970s and quickly became the go-to stylist for the world’s most recognizable icons.
Frieda cut and styled hair for Diana, Princess of Wales, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Twiggy, and Madonna.
In 1976, he cemented his status in pop culture by creating the famous “Purdey” bowl-cut for actress Joanna Lumley in The New Avengers.
Beyond his styling chair, Frieda’s personal life often captured the public’s attention, notably during his high-profile marriage to Scottish pop star Lulu in the late 1970s, with whom he shared a son, Jordan. He later married Frances Avery Agnelli, building a large, devoted family.
While his salons attracted royalty and Hollywood stars, Frieda’s greatest impact was democratizing salon-quality hair care for millions of people worldwide.
In the late 1980s, he co-founded his eponymous product line, launching the groundbreaking Frizz Ease serum.
The product revolutionized the beauty industry by introducing accessible anti-frizz technology to the mass market.
Following the news of his death, moving tributes poured in from across the beauty world.
John’s stepdaughter, Asia Agnelli Lagrange, remembered him on social media as “the best man to ever exist.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Frieda, the visionary hairdresser whose name our brand proudly carries,” wrote his namesake brand online.
“Mr Frieda’s pioneering spirit and dedication to his craft transformed people’s hair and confidence worldwide; one of the most influential figures in hairdressing, he is a true icon who shaped and inspired culture .
“We are proud to carry his heritage forward and honoured to continue the story he began.
“Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends, the John Frieda salon team and all those whose lives he touched and inspired.”
He is survived by his wife, four children, and two grandchildren.