Salon Today
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Conair Founder Lee Rizzuto, Sr. Passes Away

After battling a long and difficult fight with pancreatic cancer, Rizzuto passed peacefully on Sunday, December 3rd, surrounded by his family.

Maggie Mulhern
Maggie MulhernBeauty and Fashion Director, MODERN SALON
Read Maggie's Posts
December 5, 2017
Conair Founder Lee Rizzuto, Sr. Passes Away

 

2 min to read


With great sadness Conair Corporation today announced the passing of Leandro P. Rizzuto, its beloved co-founder and Chairman of the Board. After bravely battling a long and difficult fight with pancreatic cancer, Rizzuto passed peacefully on Sunday, December 3rd, surrounded by his family.

Ronald T. Diamond, president of Conair Corporation, said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our leader.  Mr. Rizzuto was a man who loved life and people and deeply loved our company. He was our leader, mentor and teacher, encouraging those around him to always strive to do more than we thought we could do, and be greater than we thought we could be.” The company will grieve the absence of its leader. Diamond says the company will honor him by continuing to develop innovative new products that use emerging technology to improve the everyday lives and businesses of Conair’s consumer and professional customers all over the world. “It is what Lee would want us to do,” says Diamond, “and we’ll do it!” The entire staff of the worldwide Conair Corporation extends its sincerest condolences to Rizzuto’s four children and the entire Rizzuto family.

Ad Loading...

Rizzuto founded Conair with his parents in 1959. Over the last 58 years, he and his family grew the small hair appliance and haircare company into a multinational corporation. Today Conair is marketed in over 125 countries, together with its BaByliss, Cuisinart, Waring and many other world-renowned brands. Rizzuto was an active leader and innovator in the professional beauty business, with salon brands including BaBylissPro, Aquage, Rusk, Satin Smooth and more. 

The family will announce arrangements as they are made. It is expected that Mr. Rizzuto’s funeral will be private; Memorial Masses will be held for Conair’s thousands of worldwide employees to honor Mr. Rizzuto.

MODERN SALON will be updating and sharing more information and tributes to Rizzuto and his legacy.

Originally posted on Modern Salon

More In The Know

Ad Loading...
A man cuts a man's hair
In The Know|Articles|Aug 6, 2026

In Dubai, Clients Visit the Salon Every Week. Here’s What That Market Can Teach You

In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.

Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai

Volunteers at HairToStay Does the Bay
In The Know|Articles|Jul 30, 2026

Take the Plunge with HairToSay Does the Bay

In October, volunteers plan to walk and take the plunge during at the annual event, HairToStay Does the Bay. Find out how you can participate and support the organization that grants subsidies to cancer patients so they can receive cold cap treatments to save their hair during chemotherapy.

Headshot of Sheue Pella
In The Know|Articles|Jul 28, 2026

The Invisible Work of a Rebrand

In this rare essay, the president of a haircare brand takes us behind-the-scenes into a world we never see when we pick up a product off the shelves--the arduous, thought-probing, second-guessing journey of rebranding a legacy product line. Not only is her reflection fascinating, but it is also incredibly useful for any salon owner or manufacturer contemplating their own brand.

Ad Loading...