Mooryati Soedibyo

A member of a Javanese royal family, she was born in Surakarta, Central Java and grew up in the palace of Surakarta Sunanate. She learned about herbal medicine and traditional Javanese cosmetics from her grandmother; the traditional knowledge preserved by the royal family is considered to be superior to that known by the common people.^[5] Soedibyo received a bachelor's degree in English literature from the Indonesia Open University, a master's degree in English literature from the Sebelas Maret University and a PhD in strategic management from the School of Economics at the University of Indonesia.^[6] In 1956, she married Soedibyo Purbo Hadiningrat.^[5]

The granddaughter of Pakubuwana X, she received a traditional education at the palace that emphasised manners, classical dance, karawitan, batik, knowing nutritious plants, concocting herbs, and traditional cosmetics from natural ingredients, Javanese literary language, traditional songs, Kawi script, and other arts.^[7]

Soedibyo founded the cosmetics company Mustika Ratu in 1975.^[8] The company also operates its own spa resorts.^[5] In 2002, she was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young Indonesia.^[6]

Soedibyo served as a member of the Regional Representative Council and as a member^[9] and vice chairperson of the People's Consultative Assembly.^[10]

In 1990, Soedibyo acquired the licence for the Puteri Indonesia beauty pageant and established herself as the national director.^[10]

In 2016, she published an autobiography Menerobos Tradisi Memasuki Dunia Baru, The Untold Story.^[11]

Soedibyo died on 24 April 2024, at the age of 96.^[12]