Burt's Bees co-founder dies at 80

MAINE — Burt Shavitz, the iconic, bearded beekeeper who co-founded Burt’s Bees in 1984, has passed away. He was 80 years.



“We remember him as a bearded, free-spirited Maine man, a beekeeper, a wisecracker, a lover of golden retrievers and his land. Above all, he taught us to never lose sight of our relationship with nature,” the company stated on its Web site. “Thanks for everything, Burt. You will live in our hearts forever.



The Burt’s Bees story began back in 1984 when Shavitz saw Maine artist Roxanne Quimby hitchhiking and stopped to offer her a ride. The two hit it off and it wasn’t long before Quimby started making candles with unused wax from Shavitz’s beehives. They made $200 at their first craft fair and, within a year, raked in $20,000.  



Facing increasing demand, the company relocated in 1994 from Maine to North Carolina to focus on health and beauty.



Starting in 1999, the company set its sights on international growth and began opening offices in the U.K., Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan.



In 2003, Quimby sold 80% of the company to an investor group for $170 million.