Bernice Lavin, Alberto-Culver co-founder, passes away at 81

MELROSE PARK, Ill. Alberto-Culver co-founder Bernice Lavin, who co-founded the company alongside her husband, died Monday after a long illness, the Associated Press reported. She was 81.

Lavin and her husband Leonard, a salesman, bought a West Coast beauty supply company in 1955, discontinuing most of its products to focus on the Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing line, the Assciated Press stated.

They then transferred the business to Chicago and renamed it Alberto-Culver. Today, the company is known for such hair care brands as TRESemme, Alberto VO5 and Nexxus hair products.

Lavin served as vice president, treasurer, a director and corporate secretary until she retired in 2003.

Her husband remains a director and chairman emeritus of the company.