NEWS & EVENT
Remembering Dr.(H.C.) Martha Tilaar, a Pioneer of the Indonesian Beauty Industry
The founder of the Martha Tilaar Group, Dr. (H.C.) Martha Tilaar, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. She is known as an inspirational woman with great achievement, her passing represents a profound loss not only for the entire Martha Tilaar Group family but also for the Indonesian beauty industry. What was Martha Tilaar’s journey like, leading her to become one of the influential figures in the Indonesian beauty industry??
Born in Kebumen on September 4, 1937, Martha Tilaar pursued her education at the Institute of Teacher Training and Education (IKIP) in Jakarta before furthering her studies in beauty at the Academy of Beauty Culture in Bloomington, Indiana, United States, in 1968. In 1984, she was awarded an honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) in the field of Fashion and Artistry by the World University in Tucson, Arizona, United States.
Her journey in the beauty industry began in 1970, when she opened a modest salon in the garage of her parents' home in Menteng, Jakarta. Drawing upon modern beauty expertise—and inspired by her family’s traditional knowledge of jamu (herbal medicine) and beauty recipes from the Javanese royal courts—she developed a beauty philosophy that integrates science, the richness of nature, and the wisdom of Indonesian local traditions.
From those modest beginnings, the Martha Tilaar Group has grown into a business conglomerate operating in the manufacturing and marketing of cosmetics and traditional herbal medicine (jamu), as well as in beauty education, spa services, and distribution. Through the various brands it has developed, the group has helped lay the foundation for a local beauty industry that elevates Indonesia’s natural and cultural potential onto the global stage.
Prestigious Awards Received by DR. (H.C.) Martha Tilaar
For her dedication and contributions, Martha Tilaar has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Women Entrepreneur of the Year from the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (2008), the Honorary Principal Engineer (Perekayasa Utama Kehormatan) from BPPT (2012), the Ganesa Widya Jasa Utama from the Bandung Institute of Technology (2012), and the Bintang Budaya Parama Dharma (a distinguished cultural honor) from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia (2016).
On the international stage, she received The Outstanding Contribution 2000–2010 Award from the United Nations Global Compact for her commitment to supporting and implementing the Global Compact’s principles. Furthermore, in 2018, Martha Tilaar was honored with the SDG Pioneer 2018 Award by the United Nations Global Compact in recognition of her efforts in advancing sustainability through community engagement—an achievement that establishes her as an internationally recognized Indonesian figure in the promotion of sustainability and community empowerment.
Beyond her role as an entrepreneur, Martha Tilaar is recognized for her commitment to cultural preservation, the advancement of knowledge regarding Indonesian herbal traditions, education, and the empowerment of women. Through her writings and various initiatives, she has consistently sought to pass on her knowledge and inspire future generations—particularly Indonesian women—to continue creating and contributing to the nation. This endeavor serves as a tangible implementation of the Martha Tilaar Group’s vision: to continuously beautify Indonesia.
Let’s keep Beautifying Indonesia.
IMG