
Huda Kattan: Net Worth, Religion, CEO Step Down & Beauty Empire
Huda Kattan turned a beauty blog into a billion-dollar brand, but the past year has rewritten the script. A CEO exit, a sister-led brand split, and boycott calls have put the Huda Beauty founder at a crossroads. Here’s what the data shows about her net worth, her faith, and the business moves that are redrawing her empire.
Net worth (Forbes estimate): $400 million ·
Age: 41 (born October 2, 1983) ·
Huda Beauty founded: 2013 ·
Instagram followers: Over 50 million
Quick snapshot
- Net worth estimated at $400 million by Forbes (via BusinessWomen).
- Founded Huda Beauty in 2013; brand valued at over $1 billion by BBC News (UK public broadcaster).
- Stepped down as CEO in 2024. (Forbes (via BusinessWomen))
- Kayali fragrance line separated from Huda Beauty in 2024; Mona Kattan left to run Kayali independently. (Forbes (via BusinessWomen))
- Exact reasons for Huda Kattan’s CEO step-down have not been publicly detailed.
- Huda Kattan’s personal religion is not explicitly stated; assumptions are based on family background.
- Whether the boycott has materially affected Huda Beauty’s revenue is unknown.
- 2013: Huda Beauty founded with false eyelashes.
- 2024: Huda Kattan steps down as CEO; Kayali splits from Huda Beauty.
- 2025: Forbes estimates net worth at $400 million; boycott controversy escalates.
- Huda Kattan remains as founder and creative director; new CEO leads day-to-day operations.
- Kayali, now independently owned by Mona Kattan and General Atlantic, will chart its own growth.
- Boycott pressure may force Huda Beauty to clarify its position on Israel.
Eight key facts about Huda Kattan, pulled from financial profiles and biographical records:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Huda Heidi Kattan |
| Date of Birth | October 2, 1983 |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Founder of Huda Beauty |
| Net Worth | $400 million (Forbes estimate) |
| Instagram Followers | Over 50 million |
| Spouse | Christopher Goncalo (m. 2008) |
| Children | 1 daughter (Nour) |
Is Huda Kattan a millionaire?
Yes, and by a wide margin. Forbes estimated her net worth at $400 million in 2023, according to a profile on BusinessWomen (professional profile site) that cites the ranking. Other 2025 reports, such as one from MSN (news aggregator), put the figure at $560 million, but those are secondary calculations without primary disclosure.
What is Huda Kattan’s net worth?
- Forbes 2023 estimate: $400 million (BusinessWomen).
- Alternative 2025 estimate: $560 million (Reality Tea (celebrity news outlet)).
- Wikidata lists a net worth of $560 million but with a 2016 timestamp, not current (Wikidata (structured data repository)).
How did she earn her fortune?
Huda Kattan started as a beauty blogger on Instagram, then launched Huda Beauty in 2013 with a focus on false eyelashes. By 2018, the brand had more than 140 products and annual sales of about $200 million, BBC News (UK public broadcaster) reported. The company’s valuation crossed $1 billion that same year, making Kattan a billionaire on paper – though Tuko (Kenyan news site) notes she is not a billionaire in liquid assets.
Forbes ranking among self-made women
Kattan has been listed on Forbes’ Self-Made Women in the US, a ranking that recognizes female entrepreneurs who built their wealth independently. The inclusion underscores her status as a top-tier business founder in the beauty sector.
Bottom line: Huda Kattan is a multi-millionaire, not a billionaire. The $400 million Forbes figure is the most authoritative estimate. Investors should treat the higher $560 million claims as unverified.
Huda Kattan’s wealth is tied almost entirely to her brand’s equity. If the boycott or CEO transition erodes consumer trust, the net worth number could shift faster than any estimate suggests.
Is Huda Beauty on the boycott list?
Yes, Huda Beauty has been added to several boycott lists related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, largely due to perceived silence or indirect ties. The brand has not issued a public position, leaving it vulnerable to activist pressure.
Why is Huda Beauty targeted for boycott?
- Boycott campaigns cite Huda Kattan’s lack of explicit support for Palestine, despite her Iraqi heritage and Muslim family background.
- Some lists include Huda Beauty alongside brands like Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, and MAC, which are boycotted for alleged links to Israel.
- No official statement from Huda Kattan confirming support for either side has been widely reported.
Which other beauty brands are boycotted?
Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, and MAC are among the most frequently cited beauty brands on boycott lists. The campaigns are driven by consumer activism and social media call-outs, not official government sanctions.
How has the boycott affected Huda Beauty’s sales?
There is no public data on revenue impact. The brand remains privately held, and neither Huda Kattan nor the new CEO has disclosed sales figures since the boycott escalated in 2024–2025.
Bottom line: Huda Beauty faces reputational risk from boycott campaigns. For consumers deciding whether to buy, the lack of an official stance is the core issue. For investors, it’s an unquantifiable headwind.
Why did Huda step down as CEO?
In 2024, Huda Kattan announced she was stepping down from the chief executive role to focus on creativity and brand direction. The move was part of a broader restructuring that also saw Kayali separate from Huda Beauty.
Who is the new CEO of Huda Beauty?
Kattan appointed a new CEO to handle day-to-day operations, but the name has not been widely publicized in English-language media. Reports from Business of Fashion (industry authority) noted the transition but did not name the successor.
When did the CEO transition happen?
The transition was announced in early 2024 and took effect later that year. The timeline aligns with the Kayali split, suggesting a coordinated corporate restructuring.
What role does Huda Kattan hold now?
Kattan remains the founder and creative director of Huda Beauty, retaining control over product development and brand image. She is no longer involved in daily management or financial operations.
Bottom line: Huda Kattan traded the CEO title for creative freedom. The move lets her focus on innovation while a professional manager handles the business – a common pattern in founder-led brands reaching scale.
If the new CEO cannot navigate the boycott controversy or maintain growth, Kattan may be forced back into an operational role, undoing the purpose of the transition.
Is Huda Kattan Persian?
No. Huda Kattan is of Iraqi descent, not Persian (Iranian). She was born in Oklahoma City to an Iraqi father and an American mother, and raised in Tennessee before moving to Dubai.
What is Huda Kattan’s ethnicity?
- Father: Iraqi. Mother: American. (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- She identifies as Arab-American, not Persian.
What is the religion of Huda Kattan?
Kattan has not publicly stated her religion. Based on her family background (Iraqi father), some sources speculate she is Muslim, but no confirmed statement exists. Her Wikipedia page does not list a religion.
Where was Huda Kattan born and raised?
- Born: October 2, 1983, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
- Raised: Cookeville, Tennessee, and later moved to Dubai, UAE, where she founded Huda Beauty.
Bottom line: Huda Kattan is a U.S.-born entrepreneur of Iraqi and American heritage. Her religion is private. For fans and researchers, the key takeaway is that she is not Persian – a common misconception online.
Why did Mona Kattan leave Huda Beauty?
Mona Kattan, Huda’s sister, co-founded the fragrance brand Kayali under Huda Beauty. In 2024, Kayali was separated from the parent company, with Mona becoming the sole owner alongside private equity firm General Atlantic.
What is Kayali?
Kayali is a fragrance line launched in 2023 under the Huda Beauty umbrella. It quickly gained a following for its gourmand scents and influencer-driven marketing.
How is Kayali separated from Huda Beauty?
According to BusinessWomen (professional profile site), the 2024 restructuring divested Kayali to Mona Kattan and General Atlantic. Simultaneously, Huda and the founding team bought back TSG Consumer Partners’ stake in the core cosmetics business, making Huda Beauty again founder-owned.
Are Huda and Mona still working together?
The sisters remain on good terms, but they no longer share a parent company. Mona is fully focused on Kayali, while Huda leads Huda Beauty. The split was announced via Grazia (fashion magazine), among other outlets.
Bottom line: The Kayali split gave Mona Kattan control of her own brand and freed Huda Beauty from the complexity of managing two distinct labels. For investors, it means a cleaner corporate structure; for consumers, two separate brand identities to follow.
Timeline
- October 2, 1983: Huda Kattan born in Oklahoma City.
- 2008: Married Christopher Goncalo.
- 2013: Founded Huda Beauty with false eyelashes.
- 2018: Huda Beauty valued at over $1 billion (BBC News).
- 2023: Sister Mona launches Kayali fragrance brand under Huda Beauty.
- 2024: Huda Kattan steps down as CEO; Kayali splits from Huda Beauty.
- 2025: Forbes estimates net worth at $400 million; boycott controversy escalates.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Huda Kattan’s net worth is $400 million per Forbes (via BusinessWomen).
- She was born in 1983 to an Iraqi father and American mother.
- She stepped down as CEO in 2024.
- Mona Kattan’s Kayali separated from Huda Beauty in 2024.
- Huda Beauty was valued at over $1 billion in 2018 (BBC).
What’s unclear
- Exact reasons for the CEO step-down have not been publicly detailed.
- Huda Kattan’s personal religion is not explicitly stated; assumptions are based on family background.
- Whether the boycott has materially affected Huda Beauty’s revenue is unknown.
- The new CEO’s identity has not been widely reported.
Key perspectives
“Huda Kattan is one of the most successful self-made women in the US, with a net worth of $400 million according to Forbes.”
BusinessWomen (professional profile site)
“The Huda Beauty brand was valued at over $1 billion in 2018, and the company has since expanded into skincare and fragrance.”
BBC News (UK public broadcaster)
“Kattan’s Instagram following, which exceeded 54 million in 2025, was the foundation of her influencer-to-entrepreneur success.”
For the Middle East and North Africa market, where both Huda Beauty and Kayali have strong followings, the brand split and boycott pressure create a volatile mix. The core challenge for Huda Kattan: maintain consumer trust while navigating a politically charged landscape and a new leadership structure. The next 12 months will test whether her empire can weather the storm without losing its billion-dollar footing.
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arthnova.com, freejobalert.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, de.wikipedia.org, wageindicator.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
What is Huda Kattan’s age?
She is 41 years old, born October 2, 1983.
Who is Huda Kattan’s husband?
She married Christopher Goncalo in 2008.
How many children does Huda Kattan have?
One daughter, Nour.
What is Huda Kattan’s Instagram handle?
Her handle is @hudabeauty, with over 50 million followers.
Where is Huda Kattan from?
She was born in Oklahoma City, USA, to an Iraqi father and American mother. She was raised in Tennessee and now lives in Dubai.
What is Huda Beauty’s best-selling product?
Huda Beauty’s #FauxFilter Foundation and the Mercury Retrograde eyeshadow palette are among its top sellers. The brand is also known for its false eyelashes, which launched the company.
Does Huda Kattan have any siblings besides Mona?
Yes, she has a younger sister named Alya Kattan, who is also involved in the family business.
What is Huda Kattan’s educational background?
She studied at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and later completed a makeup course at the International Makeup Academy in Dubai.