JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—Martha Tilaar, the entrepreneur who helped transform Indonesia’s traditional beauty knowledge into a modern cosmetics industry, died in Jakarta on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. She was 89.

Martha Tilaar Group announced her death through its official social media account. Her family said she died at Medistra Hospital at 6:22 a.m. after receiving medical treatment.

“With profound sorrow, the extended Martha Tilaar Group family announces the passing of Dr. (H.C.) Martha Tilaar, founder of Martha Tilaar Group, today, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026,” the company said in a statement.

Her son, Kilala Tilaar, said Martha had been unwell during the previous week. Another son, Bryan David Emil Tilaar, said she had spent about eight or nine days in hospital before her death, according to Antara.

The family is holding the wake at its residence in the Patra Kuningan area of South Jakarta. Martha will be buried at San Diego Hills Memorial Park in Karawang, West Java, on Friday, Oct. 16.

“Surrounded by her children, grandchildren, family and colleagues who loved her, Dr. (H.C.) Martha Tilaar will be laid to rest on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at the family burial ground in Karawang,” the company said.

Born in Kebumen, Central Java, on Sept. 4, 1937, Martha Tiller began her business in 1970 by opening a beauty salon in the garage of her parents’ home in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

The company’s official history records that she opened a second salon, Martha Griya Salon, in 1972. Additionally, she introduced treatments inspired by Indonesian herbs and traditional beauty practices.

Martha Tilaar later established PT Martina Berto with business partners Bernard Pranata and Theresia Harsini Setiady in 1977. The company launched Sariayu that year. They combined modern cosmetics research with ingredients and beauty traditions drawn from across the Indonesian archipelago.

Her work eventually expanded beyond cosmetics into beauty education, spa services and community development. Martha promoted the commercial use of local botanical resources while supporting farmers who supplied plant-based ingredients.

She also made women’s economic empowerment a central part of her business. The United Nations Global Compact named her an SDG Pioneer in 2018 for advancing sustainability through community engagement.

The organization reported that about 5,600 women had completed training through the Martha Tilaar Training Center. Many later found employment or started businesses of their own.

“Today, Dr. (H.C.) Martha Tilaar has left us, but her legacy of knowledge, vision and mission to beautify and advance Indonesia’s beauty industry will remain a valuable guide for Martha Tilaar Group,” the company said.

Her death marks the loss of an influential figure who showed that Indonesia’s natural resources and cultural traditions could support a competitive national beauty industry. Meanwhile, her brands, training programs and advocacy for women will continue to shape that legacy.