Wally Amos, the founder of the iconic Famous Amos cookie brand, has passed away at the age of 88. Amos was a trailblazer in the food industry, though he eventually lost control of the company and the rights to his own name.
Amos launched his brand in 1975 after securing a $25,000 loan from friends in California to pursue his vision for top-notch cookies. This decision led to the creation of one of the most recognized names in the cookie business.
Decoda Literacy Solutions revealed that Amos initially baked cookies as a hobby using his aunt’s recipe while working at the William Morris Talent Agency. His coworkers consistently praised his creations, setting the stage for his future cookie empire.
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The New York Times reported that Amos’ children, Shawn and Sarah Amos, disclosed that he battled dementia before his passing. Amos passed away on Tuesday at his residence in Honolulu, with his wife Carol by his side.
In a statement, his family highlighted his signature “Panama hat, kazoo, and unwavering optimism,” describing Wally’s career as “a remarkable American success story and a source of Black pride.”
Amos also co-founded the national brand Uncle Wally’s Muffin Co., headquartered in Shirley, N.Y., following the loss of his Famous Amos enterprise and name rights as per the Associated Press report.
After achieving success in California, Amos continued his work in Hawaii.
Amos was an advocate for literacy and established a reading room in his Hawaii cookie shop, where he organized events to encourage children to read. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush presented Wally with the National Literacy Honors Award.
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His children expressed, “Our father instilled in us the importance of hard work, self-belief, and the pursuit of our dreams.”
“We also know he would want you to enjoy a chocolate chip cookie today,” his family shared.
