In 2006 The Body Shop was purchased by L'Oreal, and as Anita said at the time: "For both Gordon and I, this is without doubt the best 30th anniversary gift The Body Shop could have received.
L'Oréal has displayed visionary leadership in wanting to be an authentic advocate and supporter of our values. They understand what a maverick The Body Shop was in the business world and how we helped change the language of business, incorporating the action of social change, especially in human rights, animal welfare, the environment and community trade."
Anita remained on the Board of Directors. During 2007 she took part in a The Body Shop campaign in-store and also provided consultation to L'Oréal, advising on Community Trade.
In 2007 Anita announced that she had Hepatitis C, which she contracted from a contaminated blood transfusion in 1971, however she was not diagnosed with the condition until 2004. She was completely committed to working with the Hepatitis C Trust, and became their patron, to raise awareness of the disease and to lobby the government for more action. In true Anita style, personal experience promoted her to launch a major campaign to alert people to an important issue and ensure change in attitudes and policy.
Dame Anita Roddick passed away on 10th September 2007, with her husband Gordon and two daughters by her side. Tributes flooded in from around the world, led by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown "She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market. As one of this country's most successful businesswomen, she was an inspiration to women throughout the country striving to set up and grow their own companies.