Puig, the renowned Spanish fragrance company, announced his death and celebrated his remarkable contributions to the business world.
Born in Barcelona in 1927, Mariano Puig was part of the second generation of the Puig family. He possessed a background in chemical engineering and had also studied at Barcelona’s IESE Business School. Mariano Puig was married to María Guasch, and they had four sons and a daughter.
One of his most significant achievements in the business world was his role in transforming Puig into an international powerhouse. His journey began with a distribution agreement for the Agua Lavanda Puig fragrance in the United States in the late 1950s. This initial success led to a partnership with Max Factor, making Puig its distributor in Spain for over 15 years.
Puig’s expansion continued with a pivotal move to Paris in 1968 when the company collaborated with designer Paco Rabanne to create fragrances. This marked the beginning of Puig’s successful venture into the world of high-end perfumery. In 1987, Puig secured a deal with Carolina Herrera, producing the brand’s perfumes, and later acquiring its fashion division in 1995.
Mariano Puig’s influence extended beyond the fragrance industry. He served as the president of the Instituto de la Empresa Familiar from 1995 to 1997. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he received the Reino de España Award from Spain’s King Felipe VI in February 2019. His accolades also included the Foment Medal of Honour for a Business Career in 2014 and the Gold Medal of Merit in Labour from the Spanish government’s Ministry of Labour and Social Economy in 2016.
In addition to his business accomplishments, Mariano Puig had a passion for sports and the sea during his youth. He was a member of the Spanish waterskiing team and achieved national champion status twice. His commitment to various institutions, including the Princess of Asturias Foundation and the Royal Spanish Academy, showcased his dedication to society.
Today, the multinational fragrance and fashion company that bears his family name is led by his son, Marc Puig. Mariano Puig’s legacy lives on through his contributions to the business world and his enduring impact on the Puig company.