Linda L. Bean, the granddaughter of the L.L. Bean founder, passed away at the age of 82. She had a remarkable career as a businessperson and was actively involved in the GOP.
Veronika Carlson, Bean’s business manager, confirmed to The Associated Press that Bean passed away on Saturday. The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
According to the AP, Linda was renowned for her incredible work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering commitment to her home state of Maine and L.L.Bean, the company established by her grandfather. The statement expressed condolences to her family and friends, highlighting the impact she had made.
Linda Bean, the granddaughter of Leon Leonwood Bean, the founder of L.L. Bean, has had a remarkable career. She dedicated 46 years serving on the board of the renowned outdoor retail company and also ventured into entrepreneurship for a number of years.
In 2007, she established the Perfect Maine Lobster brand, encompassing a range of restaurants, food trucks, and home delivery services for lobsters in the Pine Tree State. According to Perfect Maine’s website, Bean actively advocated for Maine’s renowned lobsters and spearheaded a movement to assess the sustainability of wild-caught lobsters along the Maine coast.
“In 2007, Linda became deeply involved in promoting and enhancing the reputation of Maine lobster. It was a significant year for the industry, with a total of 68 million pounds of lobster caught by licensed Maine fishing family boats,” Perfect Maine explained. “As the years went by and the industry grew, the demand for innovative marketing strategies increased. This led to Linda’s latest concept.”
In 2013, Perfect Maine reported that she played a crucial role in achieving the sustainable certification for Maine’s lobster industry from the Marine Stewardship Council. However, The Associated Press later reported that the certification was revoked in 2022 over concerns regarding potential harm to whales.
According to The AP, she also provided her support to LifeFlight of Maine medical helicopters and the Maine Botanical Gardens at Boothbay.
Bean made unsuccessful bids for Congress in both 1988 and 1992. She gained recognition as a prominent supporter of Republican causes. However, in 2017, Bean faced scrutiny when it was revealed that she had contributed $60,000 to a pro-Trump PAC. This contribution exceeded the legal limit of $5,000 and led the PAC, Make America Great Again LLC, to seek super PAC status in order to raise unlimited funds.
Trump expressed his gratitude to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for her unwavering support and bravery through a social media post. In his message, he acknowledged her contributions and assured her that people will rally behind her even more. He encouraged his followers to show their support by purchasing products from L.L.Bean. Trump’s tweet read, “Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage. People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean. @LBPerfectMaine.”
The Office of Government Ethics issued a reminder to executive branch employees a day later, emphasizing that they are prohibited from endorsing products.
Maine Governor Janet Mills (D) expressed her sadness upon learning about Bean’s passing.
In a statement, Mills acknowledged Linda’s impressive career, which spanned nearly five decades on the board of her grandfather’s renowned company, L.L. Bean. She also highlighted Linda’s prosperous ventures and investments in Maine’s lobster, real estate, and hospitality industries. Despite their political differences, Mills emphasized the bond they shared in their deep affection for their home state, the picturesque coast of Maine, the bustling working waterfronts, the captivating Maine-inspired art, and, of course, the delectable Maine lobster roll.
Rep. Susan Collins (R-Maine) fondly recalled Bean’s deep affection for the state of Maine.
Linda had a deep love for the coastal communities, islands, and art of Maine, especially the works by the Wyeths. Not only that, she was also a savvy businesswoman who played a key role in promoting Maine lobster through her restaurants. Senator Collins took to social media to express her condolences, saying, “Many a time while waiting for my plane in Portland, I had a cup of her famous lobster stew at her airport restaurant. My heart goes out to her sons and other family members as they mourn the loss of this remarkable Mainer.”
