LL Bean Heiress and GOP Donor Linda Bean Dead at 82

Outdoor clothing and equipment brand LL Bean announced that business heiress Linda Bean has died at the age of 82 on March 23.

"Linda was known for her amazing work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit as well as her pride and dedication to her home state of Maine and L.L. Bean, the company her grandfather founded," LL Bean business manager Veronika Carlson said. "Our hearts go out to her family and friends."

Her cause of death has not been revealed, Fox News Digital reported.

Bean has been known for founding the Perfect Maine Lobster company in 2007, as well as owning several general stores, inns, and vacation rentals along Maine's rocky coast.

She was also known as a conservative Republican donor, twice campaigning unsuccessfully for Congress in 1988 and 1992.

She also participated in efforts for Maine to receive an industry certificate for sustainable lobster catching in 2013. The certificate was later revoked in 2022 due to her Republican affiliation, especially when she attended a Donald Trump rally in 2017, as well as concerns about harm to whales.

"It's bullying," Bean told FOX Business's Maria Bartiromo at the time. "They want to control how we spend our money, what we buy, where we buy it. That's wrong, it's un-American."

Maine's GOP senator Susan Collins called Bean an "astute businesswoman" who was remembered for her love for the state.

"Linda Bean loved the State of Maine. Its coastal communities, islands, and art, particularly by the Wyeths, had a special place in her heart," she added. "Linda also was an astute businesswoman who promoted Maine lobster through her restaurants. Many a time while waiting for my plane in Portland, I had a cup of her famous lobster stew at her airport restaurant."

On the other hand, Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills shared that, despite their political differences, she found a common ground with Bean because of their "mutual love" for Maine.

"While her politics did not align with mine, Linda and I found common ground in our mutual love of our home state, of the coast of Maine and our working waterfronts, of Maine inspired art and of the perfect Maine lobster roll," she said. "I enjoyed her company and admired her business acumen. On behalf of the people of Maine, I extend deep condolences to Linda's family and loved ones and to the entire L.L. Bean community."