Summary (tl;dr)

Scott Vincent Borba, co-founder of the popular e.l.f. Cosmetics brand, is currently trending as he prepares to be ordained as a Catholic priest on May 23, 2026, after renouncing his multi-million dollar fortune and luxury lifestyle.

Essential Background

Before his spiritual conversion, Scott-Vincent Borba was a prominent figure in the beauty industry. He co-founded e.l.f. Cosmetics in 2004, a brand known for its affordable and high-quality makeup, and later established his own nutraceutical skincare line, BORBA Inc.. Borba was also a celebrity esthetician, author of beauty books, and lived a lavish Hollywood lifestyle, including giving actress Mila Kunis a $7,000 diamond and ruby facial. Despite this professional success and material wealth, he experienced a profound spiritual reawakening in his early 40s, describing a "sudden loss of joy" that prompted him to seek a different path.

The Full Story

Scott-Vincent Borba, 52, is making headlines as he transitions from a beauty industry mogul to a Catholic priest. He is scheduled to be ordained by the Diocese of Fresno on May 23, 2026. This monumental life change began in 2019 when he decided to divest his business interests, including selling BORBA Inc. and donating his multi-million dollar fortune to charity. In 2021, he formally left his business ventures and entered St. Patrick's Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California, to pursue a Master of Divinity degree. Borba now lives a minimalist life in a sparse seminary room, stating he has "never been happier" and has found immense joy since reorienting his life towards God. His journey is considered a rare "late vocation" within the Catholic Church, as the average age for new priests is 33.

Why It Matters

This story is trending because it represents a dramatic and unexpected shift in a public figure's life, moving from extreme material wealth and celebrity to a life of spiritual devotion and service. Borba's decision to forsake a multi-million dollar empire for the priesthood offers a compelling narrative that challenges conventional notions of success and fulfillment. It highlights the profound personal transformations individuals can undergo and has garnered significant interest due to its unique nature and Borba's former prominence in the beauty and fashion world.

Geographic Location

• Visalia, Tulare County, California, United States (scheduled priestly ordination)
• Menlo Park, San Mateo County, California, United States (attended St. Patrick's Seminary and University)
• Oakland, Alameda County, California, United States (co-founded e.l.f. Cosmetics)
• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (former location of lavish lifestyle and business operations as a celebrity esthetician)