Richard Rogers, co-founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics and son of Mary Kay Ash died Tuesday March 31, 2026 after significant health challenges. He was 82 years old.

The company was started in 1963 between Mary Kay and her children Richard, Ben, and Marylyn.

Richard was the company’s general manager until 1965, and then he became Vice President. In 1968, Richard was promoted President and Chief Executive Officer, and in the following year he was named Chairman of the Board.

In 1992, he moved into the position of Chairman of the Board of Mary Kay Holding Corporation, the parent of the operating company Mary Kay Inc. Richard returned to his role as CEO in 2001. He “retired” in 2006 and became executive Chairman. In October 2025, his son Ryan removed him from that position (calling him Chairman Emeritus), a year after Ryan initiated a big lawsuit against Richard.

Ryan Rogers became CEO of Mary Kay in 2023, and since then the company has experienced financial difficulties. The company is currently trying to sell the building currently used as the headquarters, where over 1,200 Mary Kay employees work.

Richard is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his children Terri, Richard (Rick) II, and Ryan. He and Nancy recently adopted an adult daughter named Olivia Abbott, but his other children are contesting the validity of the adoption so as not to share any inheritance or family trust assets with her.