Oscar de la Renta Biography: Cause of Death, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Children, Wife, Designs

Oscar de la Renta was a distinguished Dominican-American fashion designer known for merging European sophistication with American practicality, setting the benchmark for elegant attire among socialites and celebrities.

Initially studying painting in Madrid, he shifted to fashion, training under Cristóbal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo.

In 1965, he launched his fashion house in New York, earning acclaim for his vibrant and feminine designs.

Profile

• Full Name: Oscar de la Renta
• Stage Name: Oscar de la Renta
• Born: 22, July 1932
• Date of death: October 20, 2014 (Aged: 82 years old)
• Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Nationality: Dominican Republican
• Occupation: Fashion designer
• Height: 1.75m
• Parent: Carmen María Antonia Fiallo and Óscar Avelino de la Renta
• Siblings: 6
• Spouse: Françoise de Langlade (m. 1967-1983) and Annette Engelhard Reed (m. 1989-2014)
• Children: Moisés de la Renta
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $200 million

Early Life And Education

Oscar de la Renta was born on July 22, 1932, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. His parents, Carmen María Antonia Fiallo and Óscar Avelino de la Renta, raised him.

He was the youngest of seven children and the only son among six sisters.

He studied painting at the Academia de Bellas Artes in Santo Domingo before continuing his education at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid.

Eventually, he shifted to fashion, apprenticing under Cristóbal Balenciaga and later working with Antonio del Castillo. Of mixed Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, de la Renta had Spanish ancestry on his mother’s side. He was a practising Catholic.

Career

Oscar de la Renta’s journey into the world of fashion began when he left the Dominican Republic at 18 to study painting at the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid.

While in Spain, he developed an interest in fashion. He worked as an illustrator for various fashion houses before securing an apprenticeship under the esteemed designer Cristóbal Balenciaga.

This formative experience exposed him to the intricacies of European haute couture, laying the foundation for his signature style—a seamless fusion of luxury and modernity.

In 1961, de la Renta moved to Paris to work under Antonio del Castillo at the House of Lanvin, further refining his design sensibilities. Two years later, he relocated to New York City, where he designed for Elizabeth Arden before collaborating with Jane Derby.

Following Derby’s passing in 1965, he took over her label and rebranded it as Oscar de la Renta in 1966. His designs, known for their bold colours, intricate prints, and elegant femininity, quickly gained widespread recognition, solidifying his status as a favourite among socialites, first ladies, and Hollywood icons.

Throughout his illustrious career, de la Renta earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Coty Award and induction into the Coty Hall of Fame. He twice served as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and was honoured with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990.

In 1993, he became the first American to head a French couture house when he was appointed creative director of Pierre Balmain. Beyond his exquisite designs, de la Renta’s legacy lies in his profound influence on American fashion, blending European sophistication with effortless American elegance.

Social Media

Oscar de la Renta does not have a social media handle.

Personal Life

Oscar de la Renta experienced two significant marriages throughout his life. His first marriage was to Françoise de Langlade, a respected editor at French Vogue, in 1967. Their union lasted until 1983 when Françoise tragically passed away from bone cancer.

Several years later, in 1989, he found love again and married Annette Engelhard Reed, a philanthropist and socialite who played a key role in supporting his career and charitable endeavours.

In the wake of Françoise’s passing, de la Renta made a life-changing decision to adopt a son, Moisés de la Renta, from an orphanage in his native Dominican Republic.

Net Worth

Oscar de la Renta’s estimated net worth was around $200 million at the time of his death in 2014. He left most of his estate to his wife, Annette de la Renta, while a smaller share was allocated to his adopted son, Moisés de la Renta.