# Bob Mackie, the Sultan of Sequins, dies at 87

> The designer who made Cher, Tina Turner and Carol Burnett sparkle on stage has died at 87.
- Title: Bob Mackie, the Sultan of Sequins, dies at 87 · Variety
- Summary: The designer who made Cher, Tina Turner and Carol Burnett sparkle on stage has died at 87. Mackie proved costume design could be the main event, not the…
- Keywords: fashion, costume design, obituary, television, hollywood, entertainment, culture, Bob, Mackie, Sultan, Sequins, dies
- Source: Variety — https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/bob-mackie-dead-fashion-designer-1236861284
- Author: Whitney Friedlander,Jazz Tangcay
- Published: 2026-09-14T15:57:33+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fashion, costume design, obituary, television, hollywood, entertainment, culture
## The Sultan of Sequins
Bob Mackie, the designer behind decades of flamboyant, show-stopping stage looks, died Monday at 87.

> Sultan of Sequins
## He dressed the divas
Cher and Diana Ross wore his most famous creations, and his client list ran through Tina Turner and Carol Burnett.
## Announced on Instagram
His team shared the news in a statement, saying he lived his 87 years to the fullest doing the only job he ever wanted.

> It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today.
## One dream, start to finish
The statement framed his life simply: he fulfilled his dream of being a fashion and costume designer, which is all he ever wanted to do.

> His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.
## Three Oscar nods, nine Emmys
He was nominated for an Academy Award three times and picked up more than 30 Emmy nominations, winning nine.
## First in the Hall of Fame
In 2002 he became the first costume designer inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
## Key takeaway

Mackie proved costume design could be the main event, not the backdrop, and the Television Academy made him the first of his craft in its Hall of Fame.