Born Kevyn James Aucoin on the 14th February 1962 in Shreveport, Louisiana USA, he was a makeup artist, author, and photographer as well, probably best known to the world for several cosmetic lines, including The Nakeds and his own Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. He passed away in 2002.
Have you ever wondered how rich Kevyn Aucoin was at the time of his death? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Aucoin’s wealth was as high as $200,000, an amount earned through his successful career in the fashion industry, active from the early ‘80s until his death in 2002.
Kevyn Aucoin Net Worth $200,000
Kevyn grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, after being adopted by Thelma Suzanne Melancon, and her husband Adrian Aucoin. He has three siblings Kim, Carla and Keith.
He had a troubled childhood since he was bullied the moment he entered school, which continued into high school, where he got tired of being abused and quit to joined a beauty school. From his early years he was interested in makeup, and was often doing it for his sister, and once in beauty school he hoped to learn more about the makeup techniques, but eventually ended up holding classes.
He started working at an exclusive women’s store in Lafayette, but his services were often denied by women who objected to a man doing their makeup. He then moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, hoping to get a chance to start his career, however, the abuse continued as he was beaten by the security guards at Godchaux, after trying to buy makeup with his male friends.
Kevin then tried his luck in New York City, moving there with his boyfriend at a time, Jed Root. Once settled in the city, Kevyn began building up his portfolio, working for free, but sending pictures of his work to various magazines. This turned out to be fruitful when he was discovered by Vogue. During the next several years, Kevyn became one of the most sought-after makeup artists, and collaborated with numerous photographers, including Steven Meisel.
It was in 1986 that his career took a big turn for the better, when he model prepared Cindy Crawford for Vogue cover shoot. As a result, Kevyn was booked up until the end of the ‘80s, since his services were sought not only by Vogue but also by Cosmopolitan, and by a long list of other supermodels and other celebrities, including Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, Cher, Courtney Love and Lisa Marie Presley among many others, adding significantly to his net worth.
He published several books that feature his work – “Face Forward”, “The Art of Makeup” and others, the sales of which only increased his net worth to a large degree.
During his most successful years, Kevyn launched his own line of cosmetics – The New Nakeds, while he was working for Revlon as its creative director for the prestige Ultima II line of cosmetics. This increased his net worth to a large degree, and in years before his death, Kevyn worked with Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido on improving their Inoui line, and in 2001 he launched his own brand – Kevyn Aucoin Beauty.
Regarding his personal life, Kevyn acknowledged that he was gay from when he was just six years old; he was married to Jeremy Antunes from 2000 until his death in 2002. The two lived in Hawaii with Kevyn’s niece Samantha, of whom Kevyn obtained legal guardianship. Before Antunes, Kevyn was in a relationship with Eric Sakas, with whom he remained friends until his death, despite breaking.
His health problems began in 2001 when he was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor, which also caused acromegaly. Despite treatments, Kevyn was in terrible pain which led to him using prescription and non-prescription drugs, which caused further problems with his kidneys and liver. He passed away on the 7th May 2002 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York.
His body was buried in Louisiana, next to his mother’s resting place, though his wish had been to have his ashes scattered in Hawaii.
