Alexi Cory-Smith, Bella Figura Co-Founder and CEO, Dies at 58

Alexi Cory-Smith, co-founder and chief executive of Bella Figura Music, has died at 58, the company announced on Friday, July 3. Bella Figura said the death was sudden and unexpected, and it did not provide a cause of death, asking for privacy for her family and loved ones while the organization determines next steps.

In a statement attributed to Bella Figura and reported by Billboard, the company said Cory-Smith built Bella Figura from the ground up, “bringing the vision and passion from a successful career in the music industry.” The firm said her leadership, creativity, and “unwavering commitment” to her team and the company’s work would leave a lasting legacy, adding that it would share further updates when it was able.

Bella Figura’s business model centers on acquiring and managing music rights, with Billboard reporting that the catalog includes evergreen recordings and publishing associated with artists such as Joan Jett and the Human League. K-Jewel 99.3 FM similarly described the company as a rights manager, citing those titles as examples of its roster.

Cory-Smith had previously worked at Bertelsmann Music Group’s U.K. operations, according to Music Business Worldwide. That outlet reported that she joined BMG in January 2011 and progressed through multiple senior roles in the firm’s London-based leadership, later becoming president, repertoire and marketing for BMG U.K. earlier this year before moving to Bella Figura’s leadership as co-founder and CEO.

Music Business Worldwide also reported that Bella Figura has, since its founding, completed catalog deals with writers, songwriters and producers including David Gray and Paul Epworth. The outlet added that the company confirmed earlier this year it had deployed more than $160 million on catalog deals to date, highlighting the scale of the rights acquisitions the company pursued under Cory-Smith’s direction.

In remarks relayed to Billboard, Jo Twist, chief executive of the British Recorded Music Industry (BPI), said she was “profoundly saddened” by Cory-Smith’s death. Twist was quoted extending condolences to Cory-Smith’s family, friends and colleagues and said Cory-Smith had made a “highly valued contribution” to the U.K. music industry, including through BPI Council work representing BMG.

Further tributes were reported by MusicWeek, which described Cory-Smith’s career in publishing and rights management and noted that colleagues were posting remembrances following the announcement of her death. MusicWeek’s report did not indicate any immediate changes to Bella Figura’s catalog commitments or licensing operations, but said updates would follow as the company moves through the transition.

With Cory-Smith’s death announced on July 3, Bella Figura and its partners are expected to coordinate continuity across licensing, catalog administration and ongoing rights deals. For artists, songwriters, and rights holders connected to Bella Figura’s managed catalogs, the immediate concern will be ensuring scheduled royalty reporting and rights processing continue without interruption while the company finalizes internal leadership arrangements.