Los Angeles Times
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
February 8 2002

Princess Marcella Borghese, an Italian socialite who turned a small line of 
lipsticks into a skin care and cosmetics brand sold in exclusive stores 
around the world, has died at age 90.

Borghese died Jan. 19 at her home in Montreux, Switzerland, her family said 
Thursday. She was buried in the family crypt at the Basilica of Santa Maria 
Maggiore in Rome.

Born Marcella Fazi, Borghese joined the Roman noble family in 1937 with her 
wedding to Prince Paolo Borghese, the duke of Bomarzo. The prince, who died 
in 1985, was part of a family linked to the arts and the history of Italy 
since the Middle Ages. It produced one pope -- Paul V -- as well as Rome's 
most famous public park and one of its loveliest art galleries, the Galleria 
Borghese. For generations, the family had had their cosmetics made for them, 
mainly from fruits and other natural ingredients. Marcella Borghese had 
lipsticks made for herself that were color-coordinated to her wardrobe.

When her children were older and she had time on her hands, she decided to 
take that idea into the cosmetics business.

She had her personal chemist create samples of eight lipsticks and asked 
eight Italian designers to make outfits to match each shade.

In 1956 she came to the United States with three models, the eight lipsticks 
and the designer clothes to launch Princess Marcella Borghese Inc. as a 
wholly owned subsidiary of Revlon Inc.

Her line, comprising upscale skin products and makeup as well as spa 
treatments, is sold in some of the most exclusive department stores. Revlon 
sold the company to Saudi investors in 1991.

The princess remained involved with the line until recently, her son, Livio, 
said in a telephone interview from New York. "She never really left the 
company," he said, adding that his mother died peacefully.

The princess is survived by Livio; his twin, Francesco; Anita Mauritzi of 
Rome, her daughter from her first marriage; and seven grandchildren. A 
memorial Mass is scheduled for Feb. 19 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New 
York.