Entrepreneur, GOP activist, and granddaughter of LL Bean Linda Bean dies at 82

Linda L. Bean, granddaughter of the renowned outdoor retailer L.L. Bean, passed away at the age of 82. Beyond her familial legacy, she was known for her roles as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and conservative activist.

Confirmation of Bean's passing came from her business manager, Veronika Carlson, in a statement released on Sunday. The exact cause of her death has not been disclosed.

“Linda was known for her amazing work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit as well as her pride and dedication to her home state of Maine and L.L.Bean, the company her grandfather founded,” the statement said. “Our hearts go out to her family and friends.”

Linda Bean's lineage traces back to Leon Leonwood Bean, who established the iconic company in 1912. The company flourished primarily through its widely circulated catalogue, featuring robust items like the trademark rubber-bottomed boots, which were famously backed by a lifetime guarantee.

For nearly fifty years, Linda Bean served on the board of the company. Her entrepreneurial ventures extended beyond the family business; she ventured into lobster dealership, founded the renowned Perfect Maine Lobster brand in 2007, and possessed ownership of general stores, inns, and vacation rentals along Maine's central coast, where she resided in Port Clyde.

In 2013, Linda Bean played a pivotal role in the initiative to attain sustainable certification for Maine's lobster industry, achieved through the efforts of a London-based nonprofit, the Marine Stewardship Council. However, this certification was revoked in 2022 due to concerns regarding its impact on whale populations.