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

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, 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 with bland ladies everywhere. By 1995, her company was such a success that Leonard Lauder, then the CEO of Estée Lauder, stepped in and acquired the brand. These days, the Bobbi Brown line-which Brown continues to oversee-is available in over 50 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 half a dozen bestselling books.

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 and still does a select group of fashion shows during Fashion Week and several high-profile editorial projects each year. Brown is married to Steven Plofker, a lawyer and real estate developer. They have three sons. [Image via Getty]