DUBAI, UAE: Beauty tycoon Huda Kattan, who has an approximate net worth of $560 million, per Celebrity Net Worth, took to social media to declare she does not want "blood money" from Israeli customers amid the Israel-Hamas war.
The Huda Beauty founder, who was born to Iraqi parents in Oklahoma, was quick to receive backlash over her comment, with several social media users even calling for a boycott of the popular cosmetics brand.
According to the Daily Mail, Kattan managed to build a highly successful $1.2 billion cosmetics empire after starting a makeup blog in 2010. The products of her beauty brand are now sold at renowned retailers, including Sephora and Walmart.
However, following her statement, a Change petition calling for Sephora to remove Huda Beauty products from its US stores has received over 7700 signatures, at the time of writing.
Huda Kattan's cosmetics empire
As per Forbes, Kattan's current net worth is at least $550 million, making her the 37th richest self-made woman in America.
Kattan earned the majority of her fortune from her Huda Beauty cosmetics empire and her career as an entrepreneur, makeup artist, and beauty blogger.
The influencer studied makeup in Los Angeles, California, and began her career as a makeup artist with clients like Eva Longoria and Nicole Richie.
She also worked as a makeup artist for Revlon before starting her own now-billion-dollar venture.
Kattan launched her beauty blog called Huda Beauty in 2010 before releasing a cosmetics line of the same name in 2013.
She also garnered immense popularity on Instagram, with over three million followers on her own account and more than 50 million followers on her company account.
Kattan became the #1 on the 2017 Influencer Instagram Rich List and was also named one of The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet by Time magazine that same year.
She even released her own series Huda Boss on Facebook Watch in 2018.
Huda Kattan's net worth in 2022
Kattan had an approximate net worth of $400 million as of June 2022, according to Forbes.
The publication recognized her as one of the most powerful online influencers and one of America’s self-made women that same year.
If current reports and estimates are to be believed, Kattan's net worth has increased by an approximate $150 million in a year.
What is Huda Beauty's net worth?
Kattan's company, Huda Beauty, was reportedly valued at $1.2 billion after private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners acquired a small minority stake in a 2017 deal, Forbes reported.
The cosmetic line released a series of false eyelashes through Sephora as their first product in 2013.
It then expanded into skincare and cosmetics and retailed direct-to-consumer in stores like Sephora across the globe.
Kattan also launched the GloWish makeup line as a sub-brand of Huda Beauty in 2021.
At present, Huda Beauty reportedly sells more than 100 products ranging from eyeshadow pallets to lip gloss and earns around $200 million in annual sales, the outlet reported.
What did Huda Kattan say about Israel?
A day after Hamas' surprise attack on Israel on October 7, Kattan took to Instagram to share glimpses of her 40th birthday celebration at the luxurious hotel in Dubai.
One Instagram user commented on the influencer's post saying, "I don’t know if you noticed, but Israelis from all over the world love you and your products. With most of their money, you chose Gaza."
"So remember this as soon as no Israeli buys from you again, anywhere in the world. And it’s a shame because we buy a lot," the Instagram user added. In response to the user, Kattan wrote, "I don’t want blood money."
As per the Daily Mail, in a later post, Kattan wrote, "Israel, who has the fourth largest army in the world, is NOT the victim, but they repeat the same story and gaslight anyone who comes with facts."
The businesswoman also quoted what appeared to be scripture passages on her Instagram feed, the publication claimed.
"You will certainly cause corruption in the land twice and you will become extremely arrogant," one read in reference to the "Children of Israel."
"We would send against you some of our servants of great might, who would ravage your homes. This would be a warning fulfilled," another mentioned.
Kattan also reposted creator Naley By Nature's plea for Palestinian self-determination, where she dubbed "apartheid" Israel's retaliation air strikes in Gaza as "genocide live on television."
The businesswoman shared Naley's clip on her personal account on Sunday, October 15, with the caption, "#freepalestine."
On Tuesday, October 17, Kattan also posted an appeal for UNICEF, writing, "I'm horrified by the scenes coming out of Gaza. Time is running out for the children of Gaza; hundreds of children have already been killed or injured."
"Hospitals are overwhelmed, and the numbers keep rising. No child should have to witness this!" she continued.
"UNICEF is on the ground providing support, but they need our help. In times of crisis, donations can make all the difference. We've donated to support the cause and send urgent aid," Kattan added.
Huda Kattan faces backlash over 'blood money' remarks
Several social media users called out Kattan for saying she does not need "blood money" from Israeli customers.
"As you wish. You are now cancelled," one wrote. "@Sephora, remove her products," added another.
"Bad behavior has consequences," a third user commented. "Good, expose yourself and let the boycotts begin!" someone else said.
One user wrote, "Cool - don’t buy her [poop emoji]" while another simply tweeted, "BOYCOTT."
"Buh bye," one user mocked before another stated, "I will NEVER purchase your products @hudabeauty since you support terrorism."
Someone else wrote, "Their products are awful and so is the founder so it’s fitting."
Another added, "Then make her feel the financial pain. It’s all some understand."
