Dame Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop, has died at the age of 64, from a massive brain haemorrhage.
And the news has made me feel really sad. She was a truly inspirational woman and probably the most well-known female entrepreneur in the UK. In fact at the moment I can’t think of another one.
Throughout my business career, she was held up as the female role model – it used to be impossible to read an article about ‘women in business’ without Anita Roddick being either mentioned or quoted – though her unconventional way of doing business meant that she was hardly an establishment darling.
Thanks to her, a whole generation of women has been inspired to start their own businesses, though it is still quite shocking how few high-profile female business leaders there are. I hope my daughter grows up with role models like her to inspire her.
Anita Roddick, goodbye and thank you.
I was ever so sad to see the news last night. She spoke at my school once and really was inspirational – she’s going to be so missed.
I know, such sad news – I worked for years at the Body Shop as a student, you couldnt help but feel you knew her from the way the shops were run.
I got that impression Rebecca – I went into a Body Shop yesterday and they had candles burning and a memories book, really lovely.
I have absolutely no idea how I missed this in the news. Thanks for posting. Anita will indeed be missed.
She was an inspiration to so many of us, her loss will be sorely felt for years to come.
She was an extraordinary entrepreneur who demonstrated how to create a business from the heart. She inspired me. Thanks for your tribute.