Anita Roddick

She tied the nuptial knot with Gordon Roddick in 1970. By then, they had been blessed with a daughter while the other was on the way.

In 2004, she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Three years later, it was revealed that she was diagnosed with hepatitis C, which was the result of a blood transfusion that she underwent on the birth of her second daughter.

She was hospitalized at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester after complaint of severe headache. The following day, i.e. on September 10, 2007, she passed away due to acute hemorrhage.

She started her career by working in a Library of International Herald Tribune, Paris. She followed this by serving as a teacher of English and History in England. She later found work in the Women's Rights Dept. of International Labor Organization (ILO), based at UN in Geneva

Later on she opened a restaurant in association with her future husband Gordon Roddick. The business thrived and the couple soon established a hotel in the Littlehampton area.

It was in 1976 that she initiated the cosmetic and wellness brand ‘The Body Shop’ as a means to earn a living so as to support her children, while her husband was away on a trekking tour in America. Established to provide financial support, it went on to become the largest cosmetic and wellness brand

Despite having no training or experience at business, she adhered to her husband’s advice of banking on sales of more than 300 pounds a week. The main aim of her business venture was to provide quality skin care products in refillable containers and sample sizes.

The Body Shop was launched when Europe was on its way for a ‘go green’ mantra. As such, the brand came well in time as it was largely accepted for its environment friendly retail conventions. Also it became the first socially and environmentally responsible business.

In 1988, she was bestowed with the prestigious Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) rank.

In 2003, she was appointed as the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

The other notable awards and distinctions offered to her include Veuve Clicquot Businesses Woman of the Year (1984), Banksia Foundation's Australia Environmental Award, Mexican Environmental Achiever Award, National Audubon Society Medal, Botwinick Prize in Business Ethics, Women's Center's Leadership Award, University of Michigan's Annual Business Leadership Award and British Environment & Media Award.

Some other distinctions awarded to her include Women's Business Development Center's First Annual Woman Power Award, The Gleitsman Foundation's Award of Achievement, International Peace Prayer Day Organisation's Woman of Peace and Spirit of the Rainforest Award.

She received honorary degrees from various universities across the globe such as Honorary Doctorate from the University of Sussex, Honorary Degree (Doctor of Laws) from the University of Bath and Honorary Doctorate of Public Service by The Sage Colleges.

She was the famed entrepreneur who started the well-known cosmetic company, ‘The Body Shop’.