Horst Rechelbacher was born in Klagenfurt, Austria, in 1941. His mother was a herbalist, his father a shoemaker/designer and he was the youngest of three brothers. It is mainly the profession of his mother, who had her own pharmacy with herbal medicinal products, that he often spent time in as a small boy and would often be inspired by in later life.

His family's flat overlooked a small salon across the street in the centre of Klagenfurt. During his childhood, Horst had many opportunities to observe the daily activities of the salon, which inspired him to choose a vocation and pursue formal training in the salon profession. At the age of 14, he began a three-year apprenticeship in the same salon. During his apprenticeship, he won the Austrian Junior Championships three times. At 17, he moved to Italy and started working in an exclusive salon in Rome.

He proved to have talent, for after Rome he worked in salons in London and New York, where in the early
1960s his employer started letting him participate in hairstyling competitions organised by trade associations.

The foundation of his first skin and hair care brand, AVEDA, the name of which is derived from the Sanskrit word Ayurveda, meaning "science of life", was thus laid in 1978. After 19 years at the helm, Horst sold Aveda to the Estée Lauder Companies group, where he continued to play an active role on AVEDA's board until 2003.

He would then retire to his farm in Wisconsin, where he took the time to grow his own vegetables, fruits and herbs and to work as an environmentalist.

As Horst felt that he could not fully focus on his convictions without also effectively putting them into practice, he would put his money where his mouth was. He developed new formulas in which he would take
even more and better account of current social standards, the ingredients, sustainability and safety of the products. The foundation of Intelligent Nutrients was laid.

Some recognitions Horst has received

1980's
Published his first book "Rejuvenation: Wellness Guide for Women and Men". Endorses the Valdez/Ceres principles of environmental sustainability, making Aveda the first company to do so.

1995
Named one of the most influential environmentalists in the US by Vanity Fair magazine, and again in 2005. 

1999
Publishes "Aveda Rituals: A Daily Guide to Natural Health and Beauty". Produces the experimental film "Hidden Medicine About Indigenous Peoples and the Environment". 

2004
Awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the NAHA (North American Hairdressers Association). Opens an organic café with a complete line of USDA organic foods, juices, nutraceuticals and supplements.

2006
Received the Rachel Carson Award for a lifetime of commitment to environmental ethics and integrity.

2007
Honoured by the Spa & Salon Professional Association as an Industry Innovator & Legend for lifetime contribution to the cosmetology industry.

2008
Published "Minding Your Business: Profit that Restores the Planet". Inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions and as one of the state's most distinguished business leaders of all time. 

2013
Honoured by the International Spa Association (ISPA) with the ISPA Visionary Leader Award.

2018
Honoured by Beauty Changes Lives with the Legacy Award. "Honouring Horst, is a privilege for the Foundation. In doing so, we are also honouring the thousands of industry members who have been touched
by Horst, by his life's work and his talent".

2019
The Horst M. Rechelbacher Foundation introduced two Beauty Changes Lives scholarships to honour Horst's legacy of awareness, care and compassion for beauty professionals, guests and the planet.