Elizabeth Arden (birth name Florence Nightingale Graham) was born in Toronto, Canada suburb on December 31, 1878. She was one of William and Susan Graham’s five children. After dropping out of high school due to finances, she eventually moved to New York City and created the cosmetic company, Elizabeth Arden. After starting with one store in 1910, by 1929 the company had grown to 150 salons.

In 1922, she took her brand global by opening her first salon in Paris. She went on to have several salons across Europe, South America, and Australia. Arden was the first to bring cosmetics and skincare to the US market on a large scale. The products were already widely used and accepted in France and the rest of Europe, but In American, these items were still seen as taboo. As her career continued, Arden expanded into fashion (by partnering with world-famous designers) and even horse racing.

Elizabeth Arden will best be remembered for bringing cosmetics and skincare to the middle and upper-class women in America. Her cosmetics went on to be worn by British queens and American first ladies. She managed to maintain an air of exclusivity to her products up until her death. She died in 1966 at the age of 90 and is buried in Sleepy Hollow, New York. The company is currently a holding of Revlon. Her products are still sold in stores across the world.

Parents

Elizabeth Arden was born to William Graham and Susan Graham. Her father was of Scottish descent and her mother of Cornish descent. Both immigrated to Canada from Europe, which was where Elizabeth and her siblings were born.

Kids

Although she was married twice, there are no records of Elizabeth Arden ever having children.