This invention is directed to the preparation of .alpha.-sulfofatty acid esters. More particularly, this invention is directed to a process for the simplified preparation of light-colored, wash-active esters of .alpha.-sulfofatty acids with monovalent C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alcohols or their salts from fats and oils of vegetable and/or animal origin comprising re-esterification with the monovalent alcohols or saponification and esterification with the monovalent alcohols, separation of the fatty acid ester formed, hydrogenation of the fatty acid ester, sulfonation, and bleaching, wherein a fatty acid ester fraction from which accompanying fatty acid glycerides have been removed to the extent of about 1 percent by weight or less, based upon the weight of the material to be sulfonated, is introduced into the sulfonation stage.