MINNEAPOLIS - Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher died peacefully at his home at the age of 72 on Saturday, according to family.
Rechelbacher, who also opened Intelligent Nutrients, died in the company of family and friends at his home in Osceola, Wis.
Rechelbacher suffered from pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed in 2011.
On the company's website, it read, "The planet has lost one of its most passionate friends. So have we. To know Horst was to wake up to the world around you, to your own potential, to a new way of thinking. His impact truly does live on in salons, shops, fields and minds worldwide. And his mission continues."
Rechelbacher's life mission was to create beauty products that were of high quality and also safe to people and the environment.
In 1978, Horst founded Aveda and ushered in a new consciousness into the world of beauty. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company grew quickly and gained immediate mystique for its creative culture, signature aromas and innovative products.
His legacy included the Aveda Concept Salons and the Aveda Institute, where thousands of top salon professionals were educated.
Horst sold Aveda to Estee Lauder in 1997. He soon shifted focus to Intelligent Nutrients, his Minneapolis-based health and beauty company.
At Intelligent Nutrients, he continued to pioneer nontoxic and certified organic products, food-grade ingredients and a vision of a truly safe and beautiful world for consumers and the planet.
Rechelbacher is survived by his wife Kiran Stordalen, his daughter, Nicole Thomas, Nicole's husband Peter Thomas, his son Peter and wife Mindy Rechelbacher and his grandchildren Emma, Richard, Evan, Ruby and Jada.
The family will be holding a private memorial service.
