Legendary fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie died on September 14, 2026, at the age of 87, bringing renewed attention to the life and legacy of the man known as the Sultan of Sequins. Mackie died in Palm Springs, California, from pneumonia, according to an announcement from his team on Instagram. A representative also confirmed his death to PEOPLE.
While Mackie’s career is filled with unforgettable Hollywood moments, from dressing Cher, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton and Tina Turner to creating thousands of costumes for The Carol Burnett Show, his personal life has also come into focus following his death.
Before his decades-long relationship with fellow designer Ray Aghayan, Mackie was married to actress and singer Lulu Porter. Their marriage lasted only three years but the former couple remained close for decades after their divorce.
Who Was Bob Mackie’s Wife Lulu Porter?
Lulu Porter, whose real name was Marianne Wolford, was an actress, singer and later an acting teacher who worked in Los Angeles around the time she met Mackie. The pair crossed paths around the turn of the 1960s. Porter was performing at Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, while Mackie was a young artist from Pasadena City College trying to establish himself in costume design.
Mackie had studied at Chouinard and was beginning to build a career in Hollywood. He would eventually become one of the industry’s most celebrated costume designers, but at the time he was still at the beginning of that journey. The couple married on March 14, 1960. They had already welcomed their only child, Robert Gordon Jr., known as Robin, in 1959.
When Did Bob Mackie And Lulu Porter Get Married?
Mackie and Porter married in 1960, when both were still building their respective careers. For the first couple of years, their lives revolved around family and work. Their son Robin later followed a career in the entertainment industry as a makeup artist. But Mackie’s professional life was about to change dramatically.
By 1962 and 1963, he was increasingly working with major costume designers and taking on television assignments. He had begun assisting designers including Jean Louis and Ray Aghayan, and his reputation was growing rapidly.
Why Did Bob Mackie And Lulu Porter Divorce?
Mackie and Porter divorced in 1963 after around three years of marriage. There was no major public scandal or bitter feud behind their split. Instead, their relationship gradually changed as Mackie became increasingly consumed by his rapidly expanding career in Hollywood costume design.
His work demanded long hours in studios and workrooms, and he devoted himself heavily to establishing his name in the industry.
The couple eventually grew apart as their personal lives moved in different directions. Their divorce, however, did not end their relationship completely.
Did Bob Mackie And Lulu Porter Stay Friends After Their Divorce?
Yes. One of the most notable aspects of Mackie and Porter’s relationship was how amicably they remained connected after their marriage ended. Rather than becoming estranged, the former couple maintained a close friendship for more than six decades. Their family connection also continued through their son Robin.
Mackie and Porter later discovered that they shared a granddaughter through Robin. Their family grew further with two great-grandchildren, giving the former couple another reason to remain connected long after their divorce. Porter continued working in the acting field and later became an acting teacher.
Who Was Bob Mackie’s Long-Term Partner Ray Aghayan?
After his marriage to Porter ended, Mackie entered a long-term relationship with designer Ray Aghayan. Aghayan was also an influential costume designer, and the two shared both a personal and professional connection. Mackie had worked with Aghayan early in his career, when he was assisting established designers in Hollywood. Their partnership lasted for decades, until Aghayan died in 2011.
How Did Bob Mackie Die?
Bob Mackie died on September 14, 2026, in Palm Springs, California. He was 87. His team announced the news on his Instagram account, describing the announcement as being shared with a “heavy heart” and reflecting on Mackie’s lifelong dream of becoming a fashion and costume designer. His death was attributed to pneumonia. Mackie leaves behind a career that transformed Hollywood costume design.
He began as an assistant to Jean Louis and gained early recognition for his work on Marilyn Monroe’s iconic 1962 birthday dress. He later became synonymous with television glamour through The Carol Burnett Show and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, creating thousands of costumes throughout his career.
Known for sequins, rhinestones, feathers, fringe, illusion gowns and extravagant silhouettes, Mackie dressed some of the biggest names in entertainment. Cher famously called him her “sweet Prince” following news of his death. His clients included Cher, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Liza Minnelli and many other stars. His influence also extended to later generations of performers and designers, including Zendaya.
