Who

Brown is the founder of the massive makeup and skincare product line that bears her name.

Backstory

Bobbi has always been passionate about makeup: As a student at Emerson College in the 1970s she majored in theatrical makeup, and she moved to New York after graduation to pursue a career as a makeup artist. Frustrated by the "unnatural look" that prevailed in the late 1980s—and lipsticks that were too greasy or too dry—Brown soon came up with ten brown-based shades of her own. Debuting at Bergdorf's in 1991, her lipstick line proved to be an instant hit. By 1995, her company, which she co-founded with her husband Steven Plofker and friend Ken Landis, was such a success that Leonard Lauder, then the CEO of Estée Lauder, stepped in and acquired the brand for an undisclosed—but reportedly very significant—sum. These days, the Bobbi Brown line—which Brown continues to oversee—is available in 30 countries and sold at hundreds of stores. But Brown's busy on other fronts as well. She makes frequent appearances as the in-house beauty editor on the Today Show, and she's also the author of three bestselling books: Living Beauty, Teenage Beauty and Beauty Evolution. Brown's fourth tome, Bobbi Brown Living Beauty, was published to coincide with her 50th birthday in March 2007.

Namedrop

Although nowadays you'd be hard-pressed to find her with brush in hand, she's painted many a famous face over the course of her career, including Meryl Streep, Diane Sawyer, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cindy Crawford, Meg Ryan, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields and Drew Barrymore. She still does a select group of fashion shows during Fashion Week and several high-profile editorial projects each year.

In person

Ironically, the 5-foot Brown says she wears almost no makeup.

Personal

Brown is married to Steven Plofker, a lawyer and real estate developer. They have three sons, a chocolate lab (Missy), and a Maltese terrier (Pup Pup). The family lives in a 1915 Craftsman home in Montclair, N.J., which Plofker renovated and configured to Brown's specifications. (She had a tumble dryer installed in her bathroom so she can warm her towels while she's showering, for example.) Brown and Plofker also have a winter retreat in Telluride and a home in East Hampton.

No joke

Brown's known for being a wee bit particular about food. According to one report, she has "an approved menu of acceptable foods for meetings and celebrations that's constantly updated and sent around to employees."

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