Biography
Ida Rosenthal — entrepreneur with roots in the Russian Empire
Ida Rosenthal was a Russian-born American businesswoman who co-founded Maidenform — the lingerie company that developed and popularised the modern brassiere. Her innovation transformed women's fashion and intimate apparel worldwide, building a company that became a global household name.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Russian Empire
Born Ida Kaganovich in Rakau near Minsk (Russian Empire, now Belarus) in 1886, she emigrated to the United States in 1905. Her business innovation — creating a brassiere to replace the flattening bandeau fashion of the 1920s — was driven by the immigrant entrepreneur's instinct to see an unmet need and fill it.
Family Tree
Subject
Ida Rosenthal🇺🇸 USA
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Maidenform (Bras)
Minsk
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Origin
Russian Empire🇷🇺
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Co-founded Maidenform (1923) — one of the world's most recognised lingerie brands
02
Developed and popularised the modern brassiere
03
Built Maidenform into a global company distributing in 115 countries
04
CEO and President of Maidenform until her death (1980)
05
One of the first major female CEOs in American business history
"Nature made woman with a bosom, so why fight nature?"
Ida Rosenthal
Sources