Fiat heiress Asia Agnelli has paid an emotional tribute to her stepfather, celebrity hairstylist John Frieda, following his sudden death at the age of 75.
The Italian heiress described Frieda as “the best man to ever exist” in a heartfelt Instagram post accompanied by photographs capturing their relationship over the years.
Sharing the news of his death, Asia wrote: “Sadly, my J has passed away. Today we lost the best man to ever exist. I share this because I know he touched the lives of so many.”
Her tribute attracted messages of sympathy from friends and members of the Agnelli family.
Lady Lola Bute described Frieda as Asia’s “guardian angel on earth and now in heaven”, adding that his love for her knew no bounds.
Frieda leaves behind his widow, Frances Avery Howe, and three children, Jordan, Jackson and Leyla.
He also played a significant role in raising Asia, Frances’s daughter from her previous marriage.
Jordan Frieda Followed a Different Career Path
Frieda’s eldest child, Jordan, 48, was born in 1977 during his father’s marriage to Scottish singer Lulu, whose real name is Marie Lawrie.
Jordan was educated at Eton before graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in Philosophy.
He initially pursued acting, drawing on childhood experiences spent around theatres, dressing rooms and hair salons.
In 2002, he portrayed Prince William in an American television movie that received negative reviews.
Speaking to The Telegraph in 2004, Jordan explained that he accepted the role after spending eight months without work and hoped it would lead to further opportunities.
However, his attempts to establish himself as an actor in New York and Los Angeles proved unsuccessful, prompting him to return to Britain.
He subsequently secured a position as a commis chef at Claridge’s, working under Gordon Ramsay when he was 26.
Jordan recalled the demanding experience, which involved working 16-hour days for an annual salary of £14,000.
He eventually left the kitchen after two weeks, recalling that Ramsay had told him he was too soft for the profession.
Jordan also revealed during the interview that his father continued to cut his hair.
Jordan’s Marriage and Family Life
Jordan married venture capitalist Alana Rice in 2009, and the couple have two children, daughter Isabella Rose and son Edward.
He was previously romantically linked to Alice Patten, daughter of former Conservative politician Chris Patten, and Lydia Fox, daughter of actor James Fox.
Now working as a restaurateur, Jordan maintains a close relationship with his mother.
Lulu has previously spoken warmly about her daughter-in-law and grandchildren.
In an interview with The Times last year, the singer said she adored Jordan’s wife and grandchildren, adding that there were no words to describe her feelings.
She also reflected on her relationship with her son, saying they understood each other well and that acceptance had brought a particularly sweet period in her life.
Frieda’s Marriage to Lulu Ended After Family Difficulties
Frieda married Lulu in 1976, and the couple welcomed Jordan the following year.
They had hoped to expand their family, but Lulu suffered a miscarriage in 1988 when she was 40.
In 1990, the family relocated to Manhattan as Frieda worked to grow his haircare business.
Their marriage subsequently ended, with the singer later reflecting on the circumstances surrounding their separation.
Lulu previously told The Times that she believed Frieda had emotionally left their marriage after the miscarriage.
She admitted that she had struggled to recognise the growing distance between them and had not realised their relationship was deteriorating.
Following the separation, Jordan continued his education in New York while Lulu travelled between Britain and the United States for four years.
She later described that period as one of the darkest times in her life.
When Jordan returned to Britain for his sixth-form education, he attended Eton.
Asia Agnelli’s Relationship With Her Stepfather
Frieda later found love with British architect Frances Avery Howe, the widow of Fiat heir Giovanni Alberto Agnelli.
The pair reportedly met at a dinner party in Italy before marrying in 2019.
Together, they had two children, Jackson and Leyla, while Frieda also helped raise Frances’s daughter, Virginia Asia Agnelli, known as Azzi.
Asia was just three months old when her biological father died from cancer at the age of 33.
Now 29, she studied at Leeds Arts University and has established herself as an entrepreneur and philanthropist.
She founded the Azzi Agnelli Foundation, which supports organisations working in healthcare, education, youth empowerment and humanitarian relief.
She is also the founder of Lifecycles, an investment platform supporting early-stage businesses across several sectors, including artificial intelligence, defence, healthcare and human wellbeing.
Her website describes how the early death of her father shaped her sense of responsibility towards creating lasting initiatives, with her journey influenced by both family legacy and personal loss.
Asia Shared Memories of Family Holidays and Celebrations
Photographs shared on Asia’s Instagram account over the years have documented her close relationship with Frieda and her younger step-siblings.
For Frieda’s 74th birthday in July last year, she posted pictures from family holidays, beach outings and dinners, accompanied by a message expressing her love for him.
Asia also previously spoke publicly about her experience overcoming bulimia.
In a birthday post shared on September 16, 2019, she revealed that she had struggled privately with an eating disorder that had affected her physically and emotionally.
She expressed gratitude to those who had supported her throughout her recovery
