KIM Kardashian is mourning the loss of her friend Loren Ridinger's husband, businessman JR Ridinger.
The reality star and successful businesswoman has credited Loren and JR in the past with personally inspiring her when she was just getting her start.
JR's company, Market America, announced that he passed away on August 30 at the age of 63, but a cause was not immediately released.
His wife Loren made a name for herself as the co-founder and Senior Vice President of Market America and Shop.com, and founder of cosmetics lines Motives and Fixx.
She is also good friends with Kim, and served as a mentor as the famous Kardashians star first grew her enterprises.
Almost exactly 10 years ago, Kim thanked and praised her friend on her personal blog.
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"In honor of Labor Day, I wanted to do a post about women who I view as some of the most inspirational women in business," Kim blogged on August 28, 2012. "These are women who have achieved so much success in their fields and have inspired me to be the best I can be."
On her own website, Loren returned the sentiment.
"That’s what friends are for," Loren wrote in response. "I am so thankful that Kim and I are there to support one another always.
"Kim is the happiest I have ever seen her and she is an inspiration to all young women to believe in themselves. Love you baby!"
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Loren and the Kardashians are still friends, and sister Khloe was among the first to pay tribute to her pal, commenting on the passing of JR: "Devastated," along with a series of "broken heart" emojis.
Established in 1992 by JR and Loren, Market America offers products such as household cleaning supplies, jewelry, personal care items, auto care, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and weight management products, among other things.
REMEMBERING JR
The multi-marketing business company released an emotional statement on Twitter mourning Ridinger, who was remembered as a "visionary" and "passionate human being".
"Market America Worldwide ... has lost its great visionary, and the world has lost a passionate human being who believed in other people even more than they believed in themselves," it read.
"Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with JR have lost a friend, partner, and mentor.
"JR's leadership, passion, and energy were the sources of an enterprise that enables people to live a more fulfilled life and a life on their own terms."
The post continued: "JR leaves behind a company that only he could have created, and his entrepreneurial spirit will forever be the foundation of America America.
"JR always positioned and empowered his team to carry on into the future as he instilled belief in us and encouraged us to keep growing."
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"The company is forever strong because of the belief and passion Jr instilled in us. The foundation he built has prepared us to continue to carry his dream forward for generations to come."
JR is survived by his wife, his daughters Amber and Amanda, his three grandchildren, his brothers Marc and Steven, his sister Brandi, and his son-in-law Duane.
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