Ruth Landers

Ruth Landers, Original Hollywood “Momager” and Lauded Corporate Executive (1938-2024)

Long time Sarasota resident, Ruth Landers was the original “Momager” as manager of Audrey Landers (Dallas) and Judy Landers (BJ and the Bear). She was also a Film and TV producer and had a successful career as a corporate executive in finance and commercial printing. She died at age 85, on April 18th, in her daughter Audrey’s home, of natural causes.

The magnitude of Ruth’s adventurous and generous soul and joie de vivre is legendary. She was known to many as the ultimate “force of nature”.

Ruth Béate Landers was born in 1938 in Frankfurt, Germany. Shortly after Kristallacht, Ruth, her mother, grandmother and grandfather, the surviving members of her family, fled Germany via Italy, on a ship bound for war-torn Shanghai, China. She spent her childhood in the abject poverty of the Shanghai Ghetto, surviving malnutrition, diseases, and war. A true warrior, Ruth overcame unimaginable obstacles, and started her first business at 5 years old, protecting the other children on their route to school by partnering with a rickshaw driver. Upon arriving in America in 1948, she continued honing her business acumen, and through an indomitable spirit, she independently created a life of abundance for her family. She was a true feminist businesswoman, ahead of her time. By the time she was in her mid-20’s, she had founded her own national printing company, Office Research Corporation. Ruth took pride in personifying the absolute American dream from a refugee to a trailblazing and glamorous icon. leaving a legacy of passion, generosity, luminosity, and love.

In addition to managing the careers of her daughters and others and being the tour manager for Audrey’s concerts worldwide to support her recording career, in the 1980’s, Ruth began to produce network TV pilots, infomercials, and music videos. She produced films for MGM and Paramount, and then, in the 1990’s to 2000’s, she produced the award-winning children’s musical educational TV series, The Huggabug Club, which she donated to Public Television. She also co-founded the Landers Star Collection, providing affordable fashion to women of all ages and sizes, which was another successful venture, via Home Shopping Europe, QVC, and ShopNBC. Ruth spoke multiple languages and was comfortable doing business globally.

She devoted her life to her family, and is survived by her daughters, Audrey Landers and Judy Landers Niedenfuer, her grandchildren, Daniel Landers, Adam Landers Berkowitz, Lindsey Landers Niedenfuer, Kristy Landers Violette, her great grandchildren, Sawyer, Evangeline and Hendricks, and her sister, Esther Blum.