Legendary fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie, known worldwide as the “Sultan of Sequins” and “Rajah of Rhinestones,” passed away on September 14, 2026, in Palm Springs, California, at the age of 87. The cause was pneumonia. Born Robert Gordon Mackie on March 24, 1939, in Monterey Park, California, he spent more than six decades creating unforgettable, extravagant looks that defined Hollywood glamour for generations of stars.
Mackie’s dazzling creations—lavish with sequins, feathers, beads, and rhinestones—became synonymous with performers who dared to stand out. He dressed icons including Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Elton John, RuPaul, and many others, while also designing memorable costumes for The Carol Burnett Show and earning nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and three Oscar nominations. His estimated net worth stood at $10 million.
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Early Life, Career, and Enduring Influence
Raised partly by his maternal grandparents after his parents’ divorce, Bob Mackie showed an early talent for sketching elaborate costumes inspired by Hollywood musicals. He attended Pasadena City College and the Chouinard Art Institute before leaving formal studies to work as a sketch artist at Paramount Studios. There he assisted renowned designers and soon began collaborating with Iranian-born costume designer Ray Aghayan. Their professional partnership blossomed into a personal one that lasted nearly five decades until Aghayan’s death in 2011.
Legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie has died at the age of 87. pic.twitter.com/47vC7USAqi
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 14, 2026
Mackie’s breakthrough came through television and stage work. He designed every costume for the full run of The Carol Burnett Show and created many of Cher’s most iconic ensembles, from her daring 1986 Academy Awards appearance to countless concert and television looks. Beyond celebrity wardrobes, he launched ready-to-wear collections, partnered with QVC, and designed a celebrated series of glamorous Barbie dolls. Inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2002, he continued influencing fashion and entertainment well into later years, including a Tony-winning turn for The Cher Show.
Family Life and Personal Relationships
Bob Mackie married singer and actress Lulu Porter on March 14, 1960; the couple divorced in 1963 but remained close friends for the rest of his life. Their only child, son Robert Gordon Mackie Jr.—known as Robin—was born in 1959 and later worked as a makeup artist. Robin died in 1993 at age 33 from an AIDS-related illness, a profound loss for both parents.
In the years that followed, Mackie and Porter discovered they shared a granddaughter, Alyssa Townsend, with whom they maintained a warm relationship. Mackie was also a great-grandfather to two girls, Kyla and Keira Townsend. He is survived by his granddaughter, great-granddaughters, and former wife Lulu Porter.
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Throughout his life, Bob Mackie remained devoted to the pure joy of creating fantasy through clothing. “A woman who wears my clothes is not afraid to be noticed,” he once said. His designs continue to sparkle on stage, screen, and in popular culture, ensuring that the man who brought so much beauty into the world will not soon be forgotten.
