Born Ingram Berg Shavitz on the 15th of May 1935, he became famous for co-founding and being the face of the personal care products company Burt’s Bees. Burt died on 5 July 2015.
So how much was Shavitz’ net worth? Based on reports, it was estimated to be $4 million at the time of his passing, gained mostly from his previously mentioned company he owned.
Shavitz was born in Great Neck, New York State, and upon graduating from high school, unofficially changed his name to just Burt Shavitz. After college, he served in the military and upon coming back he became a photographer whose works appeared in Time and Life magazine.
In the 1970s, Shavitz decided that he didn’t want to spend his days living in an old apartment so he packed his bags and moved to Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. Living with his golden retriever and motorcycle, Shavitz learned the business of beekeeping to keep himself busy and eventually sold honey on the side of the road to earn a little income.
Burt Shavitz Net Worth $4 Million
While selling honey, Shavitz met Roxanne Quimby, a single mother of twins whom he became romantically involved with. Because of Quimby’s eye for business, from honey the two started selling candles as well in local market and fairs. Because of the growth of their sales, they eventually incorporated the company “Burt’s Bees” in 1991, bearing the face of Shavitz on their products. Around the same time, Quimby and Shavitz launched their line of lip balm and became famous internationally, leading them to move the company in North Carolina in 1994.
Though the company continuously increased its sales and net worth, Shavitz and Quimby’s relationship began cooling. In 1994, Shavitz left the company for some unknown reason, with some reports saying Quimby claimed that Shavitz was having an affair with another woman in the company, and threatened him with either leaving the company or she would sue him for sexual harassment. In 1999, Quimby bought Shavitz out of the company and gave him a house worth $130,000.
In 2004, AEA Investors bought 80% of the company from Quimby for $173 million and later on in 2007, Clorox Corporation acquired the whole Burt’s Bees for $925 million. Reports say that Quimby earned $300 million out of the deal and eventually gave Shavitz $4 million, which comprised most of his net worth.
Though Shavitz was not officially part of the company, he still graciously partook in promotional appearances for Burt’s Bees around the world. These appearances made him famous as the face of the company, and maintained his net worth.
Shavitz once again appeared in the mainstream media when his life was featured in the documentary film “Burt’s Buzz”, released in 2014. The film highlighted Shavitz’ time with Burt’s Bees and Quimby, and his life living in Maine.
In terms of his personal life, Shavitz remained single, stating in the documentary that Quimby was the only woman he truly loved. In July of 2015 Shavitz passed away from respiratory problems at the ripe age of 80 years, living in Parkman, Maine.
