Elgin Charles Williams was born on February 27, 1960, in San Antonio, Texas. He is known as the “Emperor of Hair” and has made a name for himself as a successful Beverly Hills hairstylist for celebrities and shop owner. Over the course of more than 25 years, he has become known for his high-end beauty shop and new hairstyles. He has worked with famous people like celebrities and socialites. Williams had a successful career in finance before he became a hair stylist. He then followed his love for beauty and opened his own salon and hair care product lines.
Elgin Charles Williams net worth is thought to have grown by 2025 thanks to his salon business, product lines, TV shows, and books, though official numbers have not been released. He is still very well known in the beauty business even though he has been on a lot of talk shows and reality TV shows. Williams was married to actress Jackée Harry from 1996 to 2003. They have a son together. He comes from a family with a scientist father and an award-winning blues singer mother.
Social Profiles
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elgin Charles Williams |
| Known As | Elgin Charles, “Emperor of Hair” |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1960 |
| Place of Birth | San Antonio, Texas |
| Education | Southside High School, St. Mary’s University (biology and chemistry background), Marinello Schools of Beauty |
| Previous Career | Finance professional at Smith Barney, Crocker National Bank |
| Hair Career Start | Early 1980s; assistant hairstylist at Blue Salon and Adrian Houghton Hair Salon |
| Own Salon | Opened The Elgin Charles Salon in 1991; moved to Beverly Hills in 1996 |
| Product Lines | EC Classic (1999), EC Platinum (2007) |
| Clients | Celebrities including Drew Barrymore, Joan Collins, Serena Williams, Gabrielle Union, Kardashians, Jackée Harry (ex-wife) |
| Media Appearances | VH1 reality series Beverly Hills Fabulous, Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair, talk shows like Oprah and The Wendy Williams Show |
| Books | Author of “Believe It, Conceive It, Achieve It” |
| Family | Married Jackée Harry (1996-2003), adopted son Frank (b. 1997) |
| Parents | Mother: award-winning blues singer; Father: biochemist |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed but built through salon, product lines, TV, and books |
| Notable Titles | “Emperor of Hair” |
| Sexual Orientation | Bisexual |
Elgin Charles Williams Net Worth in 2025
Since more than 25 years ago, Elgin Charles Williams, also known as Elgin Charles or the “Emperor of Hair,” has run a high-end beauty shop in Beverly Hills with great success. He went from having a successful job in finance to becoming a hair stylist and opening The Elgin Charles Salon. He grew his business by adding product lines and media appearances. Even though his exact net worth hasn’t been made public, it is thought to be very high thanks to his high-end salon business, hair care product lines, TV appearances, books, and other business activities by 2025. His financial success is due in large part to his influence in the beauty business and the ongoing growth of his brand.
| Year | Event / Milestone | Approximate Net Worth Context |
|---|---|---|
| Early 1980s | Started hairstyling career | Beginning career, minimal net worth |
| 1991 | Opened The Elgin Charles Salon | Building business, net worth growing |
| 1995 | Launched custom hair units | Diversifying income streams |
| 1996 | Salon moved to Beverly Hills | Elevated brand, increased earnings |
| 1999 | Launched EC Classic hair care product line | Introduced product revenue |
| 2002 | Published book Believe It, Conceive It, Achieve It | Additional income source |
| 2007 | Launched EC Platinum product line | Expanded product line, further earnings |
| 2011 | Starred in VH1 show Beverly Hills Fabulous | Media appearances contribute to net worth |
| 2018 | Published memoir By The Way | Added literary income |
| 2025 (est.) | Ongoing salon and product business | Estimated net worth likely in multi-million dollar range, exact figures not publicly confirmed |
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Business Ventures and Income Sources
- The Elgin Charles shop: His high-end beauty shop has been a Beverly Hills landmark since 1996, serving famous people and high-profile clients for over 25 years. He is known as the “Emperor of Hair” and has a lot of money thanks to this shop.
- Hair Care Product Lines: Elgin Charles started his own high-end hair care line in 1999, with the EC Classic line and the EC Platinum line coming out in 2007. These kinds of hair products are great for all hair types and styles, and they bring in a lot of money for his business.
- Appears in movies and TV shows: He has been in Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair,” the VH1 reality show “Beverly Hills Fabulous,” and many talk shows, including Oprah, The View, The Talk, and The Wendy Williams Show. These appearances raise his image in the public eye and help him make extra money.
- Elgin Charles wrote several books, such as “Believe It, Conceive It, Achieve It” and “By the Way,” which help him make more money and build his reputation.
- Charity work and events: He started the Diversity In Business Summit (DIBS) to encourage diversity and inclusion in all fields. This shows that he is an experienced business leader who isn’t just focused on hair care and that he cares about social issues.
- Future Plans: He wants to open more salons, a beauty school, and sell more products, which shows that his business is growing and becoming more diverse.
Personal Life
- William Elgin Elgin, better known as Elgin Charles and the “Emperor of Hair,” was born in San Antonio, Texas, on February 27, 1960.
- In his 2018 autobiography, By the Way, he talks about coming out as bisexual in public. The book shows his story with identity and relationships.
- People know him for keeping his family life private while being very public in the beauty business.
Family and Children
- Elgin Charles was married to actress Jackée Harry from 1996 to 2003.
- Their son, Frank DeVanique Brown, was adopted in 1997. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School and wants to become a professional fighter.
- Elgin and Jackée are no longer married, but they are still good friends and share parenting of their son.
- After his son came out as bisexual, Elgin has talked a lot about how loving their relationship is.
- Edgar Willis Williams, his father, was a scientist who helped send the first monkey into space.
- His mother was a blues singer who won awards, which helped Elgin grow up creative and smart.
Siblings
- Information that is open to the public doesn’t give specifics about Elgin Charles Williams’ brothers or their personal lives.
Additional Personal Notes
- In his long life, Elgin Charles did many things. He worked as a banker at Smith Barney and later became a famous hairdresser and business owner.
- He has talked about problems he had, like when he was dealing with the AIDS outbreak, which affected a lot of hairstylists.
Sexuality & Memoir
In his 2018 memoir By the Way, Charles openly discussed coming out as bisexual and the complexities of living authentically in the beauty and Black entertainment communities. His openness spurred discussion about acceptance, reinforced his brand’s strength, and deepened his influence as a positive role model for both LGBTQ+ and wider audiences
Career Journey
- Elgin Charles was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1960. He started his career working in a factory and doing research on cars. In the early 1980s, he went on to work in banking in Los Angeles.
- Moving away from business, he went to Marinello Schools of Beauty to learn how to do hair. In the 1980s, he started out as an assistant at The Blue Salon and Adrian Houghton Hair Salon.
- In 1986, he worked as a designer at Char Salon. In 1991, he opened The Elgin Charles Salon, which was the start of his own brand.
- As of 1995, he had his own line of special hair units and was in charge of training for Elasta Hair Care Products.
- When his shop moved to Beverly Hills in 1996, it brought him more clients and made his brand more well-known.
- In 1999 and 2007, he made two important product lines: EC Classic and EC Platinum.
- Elgin Charles worked with many famous people over the course of his career, such as Drew Barrymore, Serena Williams, Joan Collins, Gabrielle Union, and the Kardashians.
- He has been in a lot of movies and TV shows, like Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair, the VH1 reality show Beverly Hills Fabulous, and talk shows like Oprah and The Wendy Williams Show, which has raised his status.
- He wrote a memoir called By The Way (2018) in which he talked about his personal and work life.
As of 2025, Elgin Charles still runs his shop, makes products, works with the media, and does other business-related things. His net worth is probably in the multimillion-dollar range.
Physical Measurements
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Height: 6 feet (1.83 meters)
Current Status
Elgin Charles Williams, who is known as the “Emperor of Hair,” is still running his famous, high-end beauty salon in Beverly Hills in 2025. The salon has been a mainstay in the high-end hair business for more than 25 years. He is still a well-known hairdresser and businessman who works with famous people. Elgin Charles has a strong public presence outside of his work in salons. He does this through his writing, media appearances, and lines of high-end hair care products. His work is a mix of creative new ideas and smart business sense, and he is still a major figure in the beauty industry in 2025.
Public Perception & Media Coverage
As a result of his great skill, business success, and kind personality, Elgin Charles Williams, also known as the “Emperor of Hair,” has a very positive reputation and a lot of media attention. People see him as a true professional whose job goes beyond just fixing hair; he also helps people express themselves and feel confident in themselves. His Beverly Hills salon has been a symbol of wealth and quality for more than 25 years, serving many famous people and earning long-lasting trust and praise.
The media focus on not only his artistic skill but also his honesty and openness, especially when talking about his journey as a gay man. Being honest makes him more connected with clients and viewers, making him a figure that people outside of the beauty business can relate to and look up to. He has gained more fame by appearing on TV shows like VH1’s “Beverly Hills Fabulous” and the Wendy Williams Show, writing books, and supporting charitable causes. This shows that he is kind and cares about his community.
By being creative, smart about business, and deeply dedicated to helping others, Elgin Charles has solidified his status as a revered hair artistry star and a multifaceted public figure. His popularity in the media and the affectionate nickname “Emperor of Hair” show the lasting effect he has had in and outside of his field, inspiring artists and entrepreneurs alike.
FAQs
Elgin Charles Williams net worth?
He is estimated to have between 3 to 5 million dollars stemming from his salons, trademark, television appearances, and other visibilities.
Elgin Charles Williams age?
He is 65 years old as of 2025. Born on February 27, 1960, marks his 65th birthday.
Is Elgin Charles still alive?
Business and media wise, he is still very much alive and active.
Who is Jackée Harry’s husband?
Her former husband was Elgin Charles Williams; they divorced in 2003.
Is Elgin Charles married?
He is currently not in a marriage; he was married to Jack’ee Harry and identifies as bisexual.
Conclusion
Elgin Charles Williams’s story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural impact of a self-made beauty icon, highlighting his personal journey from a prodigy in San Antonio to Bold Beverly Hills. He has fortifed his legacy and brand by turning personal challenges in relationships, sexuality, and discrimination. Many have stigmatised him for his net worth, estimated in the multi-million dollars, but it’s his advocacy and mentorship in the beauty industry for which he is truly remarkable. Celebrating and reflecting on his extraordinary life and work, one can follow his media pieces, his official site for the latest news, and explore the conversations that his journey inspires.
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