To obtain the subject compound useful as a detergent, etc., by sulfating an alkylene oxide adduct of a higher alcohol, followed by neutralization, and then, irradiating the reaction product with ultraviolet light.

An alkylene oxide adduct of a higher alcohol, as raw material, represented by the formula RO(AO)nH (R is a 8-20C alkyl, etc.; A is a 2-8C alkylene; (n) is 1-10) is sulfated with a sulfating agent, e.g. SO3 gas and then neutralized with a neutralizing agent, e.g. NaOH to obtain an aqueous solution of a higher alcohol alkoxylate sulfate salt. Next, the reaction product is irradiated with UV light in the presence of H2O2, a photocatalyst (e.g. TiO2), etc., to yield the objective light-colored anionic surfactant. On the basis of the amount of the anionic surfactant present in the reaction product, 0.001-1wt.% H2O2 and a 0.001-1wt.% photocatalyst are used. The UV irradiation is performed for ≤10hrs, preferably, ≤5hrs at a treatment temperature of 10-90°C, preferably, 30-60°C.