ANNEMARIE LINDNER

Meet Our Visionary Founder

“IF I CAN’T EAT IT, I WON’T PUT IT ON MY SKIN.”

A quote by Annemarie Lindner that established the founding vision of the brand. Faced with her own skin challenges, conventional skincare methods did not help and, in some cases, worsened her skin’s condition. While on vacation, she received an herbal mask treatment and was inspired when her skin improved.

EARLY LIFE

Annemarie would go on to become a successful entrepreneur, but she started from humble beginnings. Born in 1920, she grew up during difficult times. That year marked a period of upheaval in Germany, with everyday life shaped by political unrest and attempted coups. The global economic crisis and mass unemployment plunged many families into hardship and despair. Annemarie’s family lived modestly and at times struggled to afford school.

EARLY LIFE

Annemarie would go on to become a successful entrepreneur, but she started from humble beginnings. Born in 1920, she grew up during difficult times. That year marked a period of upheaval in Germany, with everyday life shaped by political unrest and attempted coups. The global economic crisis and mass unemployment plunged many families into hardship and despair. Annemarie’s family lived modestly and at times struggled to afford school.

Vier Personen in formeller Kleidung sitzen eng beieinander und blicken in die Kamera, Schwarz-Weiß-Foto.

Annemarie (second from right) as a child with her parents and sister Ruth.

In 1947, Annemarie completed a six-month training program in cosmetology. The year before, in 1946, she had married her husband, Walter Lindner. Their son was born in 1949. Around this time, Annemarie opened a small beauty salon in her home, which was open one day a week. She continued to expand her knowledge and successfully treated her clients with herbal extracts.

Because private entrepreneurship was discouraged in the socialist economy, the business was expropriated several times. This ultimately led the Lindner family to flee to West Germany and later settle in the Black Forest.

In 1947, Annemarie completed a six-month training program in cosmetology. The year before, in 1946, she had married her husband, Walter Lindner. Their son was born in 1949. Around this time, Annemarie opened a small beauty salon in her home, which was open one day a week. She continued to expand her knowledge and successfully treated her clients with herbal extracts.

Because private entrepreneurship was discouraged in the socialist economy, the business was expropriated several times. This ultimately led the Lindner family to flee to West Germany and later settle in the Black Forest.

Annemarie with her husband Walter and his sons.

ESTABLISHING ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND

After moving to the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany at the time), Walter Lindner traveled from shop to shop with Annemarie’s products. Sales were initially slow, as natural herbal products were not yet as well known in the West as they had been in the East.

In 1958, the Lindners traveled to the Black Forest to meet Hermann Börner, a manufacturer of over-the-counter medicines who was looking for a cosmetics producer. Instead of simply entering into a business arrangement, Annemarie, Walter, and Hermann decided to establish a company together. In 1959, they combined “Bör” from Börner and “Lind” from Lindner to create the company name ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND.

Älterer Mann lächelt freundlich, trägt kariertes Sakko und gemusterten Schlips, schwarz-weiß Porträt

Hermann Börner

They started by selling in the natural market, mainly in health food stores. The company grew so successfully that their headquarters became too small. They moved their company to a plot of land in the Northern Black Forest. The same year, they discovered deep springs where pristine water flowed. Today, the soft water from these springs is exclusively used in the company’s production process, which is still done at the company headquarters.

ANNEMARIE'S LEGACY

As BÖRLIND gained international recognition, Annemarie received numerous awards for her achievements. Most notably, she was honored in New York with the “Natural Legacy Award,” often referred to as the “Oscar” of the American natural products industry. She accepted the award just two days before her 85th birthday. The honor recognized her life’s work and affirmed her lasting impact on natural cosmetics. Annemarie remained actively involved in the company’s daily operations well into her 90s.

ANNEMARIE'S LEGACY

As BÖRLIND gained international recognition, Annemarie received numerous awards for her achievements. Most notably, she was honored in New York with the “Natural Legacy Award,” often referred to as the “Oscar” of the American natural products industry. She accepted the award just two days before her 85th birthday. The honor recognized her life’s work and affirmed her lasting impact on natural cosmetics. Annemarie remained actively involved in the company’s daily operations well into her 90s.

Annemarie receiving an award.

WE BID FAREWELL

At the age of 95, Annemarie Lindner passed away while on vacation. With determination, dedication, and remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, she is remembered for her pioneering vision and lasting contribution to natural cosmetics. She witnessed her brand grow from its earliest beginnings into an internationally recognized success. Her ideas and vision will continue to shape the future of ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND.

WE BID FAREWELL

At the age of 95, Annemarie Lindner passed away while on vacation. With determination, dedication, and remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, she is remembered for her pioneering vision and lasting contribution to natural cosmetics. She witnessed her brand grow from its earliest beginnings into an internationally recognized success. Her ideas and vision will continue to shape the future of ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND.

Annemarie Lindner mit Brille und Perlenkette lächelt seitlich vor gelbem Hintergrund

Annemarie on her 90th birthday.

2020

A CENTURY OF ANNEMARIE LINDNER

In 2020, Annemarie Lindner would have celebrated her 100th birthday. Her life’s work continues to shape ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND to this day: a firm belief in the power of nature combined with scientific research, responsibility, and entrepreneurial foresight. Her commitment to uniting innovation with sustainability lives on in every product and remains a guiding principle of our actions.

2020

A CENTURY OF ANNEMARIE LINDNER

In 2020, Annemarie Lindner would have celebrated her 100th birthday. Her life’s work continues to shape ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND to this day: a firm belief in the power of nature combined with scientific research, responsibility, and entrepreneurial foresight. Her commitment to uniting innovation with sustainability lives on in every product and remains a guiding principle of our actions.

Annemarie on her 90th birthday.