Helena Rubinstein Founder and Head of a Beauty Empire

Dates:  December 25, 1870 - April 1, 1965 Occupation: business executive, cosmetics manufacturer, art collector, humanitarian Known for: founder and head of Helena Rubinstein, Incorporated, including beauty salons throughout much of the world About Helena Rubinstein Helena Rubinstein was born in Krakow, Poland. Her family fostered both her intellectual development and her sense of style and elegance. She left medical school after two years and rejected a marriage her parents arranged, and moved to Australia. Beginnings in Australia In Australia, Helena Rubinstein began to distribute a beauty crà ¨me that her mother had used, from Hungarian chemist Jacob Lykusky, and after two years working as a governess, she founded a beauty salon and began manufacturing other cosmetics created by Australian chemists. Her sister Ceska joined her, and they opened a second salon. Her sister Manka also joined the business. Move to London Helena Rubinstein moved to London, England, where she bought a building which had once been owned by Lord Salisbury, and established there a beauty salon, emphasizing cosmetics to create a natural look. At about the same time, she married Edward Titus, a journalist who helped create her advertising campaigns. She balanced her interest in developing scientifically-based cosmetics and becoming part of Londons social circle. Paris and America In 1909 and 1912, Helena had two sons who would later join her business -- and in the same time period opened up a Paris salon. In 1914 the family moved to Paris. When World War I began, the family moved to America, and Helena Rubinstein expanded her business to this new market, beginning in New York City, and expanding to other major U.S. cities and to Toronto, Canada. She also began distributing her products through specially-trained salesgirls in major department stores. In 1928, Helena Rubinstein sold her U.S. business to Lehman Brothers, and bought it back a year later for about one-fifth what shed sold it for. Her business thrived during the Great Depression, and Helena Rubinstein became known for her jewelry and art collections. Among her jewels were some originally owned by Catherine the Great. Divorce and a New Husband Helena Rubinstein divorced Edward Titus in 1938 and married Russian prince Artchil Gourielli-Tchkonia. With his connections, she expanded her social circle to more of the worlds wealthiest people. A Worldwide Cosmetics Empire Though World War II meant the closing of some salons in Europe, she opened others in South America, Asia, and in the 1960s built a factory in Israel. She was widowed in 1955, her son Horace died in 1956, and she died of natural causes in 1965 at age 94. She continued managing her cosmetics empire until her death. At her death, she owned five homes in Europe and the United States. Her million-dollar art and jewelry collections were auctioned. Also known as: Helena Rubenstein, Princess Gourielli Organizations:  Helena Rubinstein Foundation, founded 1953 (funds organizations for childrens health) Background, Family: Father: Horace Rubinstein (businessman)Mother: Augusta Silberfeldseven sisters Education: public school in Cracowmedical school, University of Cracow (left after two years) Marriage, Children: husband: Edward William Titus (married 1908-1938; newspaperman)children: Roy (1909), Horace (1912)husband: Prince Artchil Gourielli-Tchkonia (1938-1955) Writings Include: The Art of Feminine Beauty 1930This Way to Beauty 1936Food for Beauty 1938My Life for Beauty 1965 (autobiography) Bibliography Patrick OHiggins. Madame, an Intimate Biography. 1971.