On June 14, Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., passed away in New York, surrounded by his family. He was 92.
Born in New York City in 1933, Lauder was the eldest son of Estée Lauder and Joseph H. Lauder. He was the driving force behind the transformation of his parents’ cosmetics business into one of the world’s leading beauty empires. After graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he attended the United States Navy Officer Candidate School and later served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.
He officially joined the family business in 1958. From 1972 to 1995, he served as President; from 1982 to 1999, as CEO; and from 1995 to 2009, as Chairman. Even after becoming Chairman Emeritus, he remained deeply involved in the company’s management and strategic direction, reportedly visiting the New York headquarters regularly until the very end.
During his tenure, Lauder launched brands such as Aramis, Clinique, and Lab Series, and oversaw the acquisition of Aveda, Bobbi Brown, M·A·C, Jo Malone London, and La Mer—leading The Estée Lauder Companies to global prominence through a diversified multi-brand strategy.
He was a visionary across all areas of the business, from product development and marketing to research and development and international expansion, consistently redefining what was possible in the beauty industry.
His son, William P. Lauder, Chair of the Board of Directors, commented: “Throughout his life, my father worked tirelessly to build and transform the beauty industry, pioneering many of the innovations, trends, and best practices that are foundational to the industry today. He was the most charitable man I have ever known, believing that art and education belonged to everyone, and championing the fight against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and breast cancer.”
“Above all, my father was a man who practiced kindness with everyone he met. His impact was enormous. He believed that employees were the heart and soul of our company, and they adored him and moments spent with him.”
Lauder was also a renowned art patron. In 2013, he donated 78 Cubist artworks—including works by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque—to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The donation, one of the largest in the museum’s history, led to the founding of the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art.
His contributions to healthcare were equally profound. Together with his late wife Evelyn H. Lauder, he co-founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. He also co-founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation with his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, supporting innovation in Alzheimer’s treatment.
Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies, shared the following message of condolence: “Leonard Lauder was beloved by many and will be missed tremendously. To our employees at The Estée Lauder Companies, he was an inspiration and a champion. To the industry, he was an icon and pioneer, earning respect worldwide. His energy and vision helped shape our company and will continue to do so for generations to come.”
Lauder was also deeply passionate about education. In 2020, he donated $125 million to the University of Pennsylvania to address the national shortage of primary care providers. This gift established the Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program, which provides tuition-free education to future nurse practitioners.
In his later years, he published a memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty (2020), in which he shared his life story and leadership philosophy. In 2021, he was honored as a “Living Landmark” by the New York Landmarks Conservancy.
Believing that “a company’s wealth lies in its people,” Lauder prioritized relationships with employees above all else. He took pride in being the company’s “Chief Teaching Officer” and championed internal education initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped launch the ELC Cares Fund to support employees’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Lauder’s passing represents an immeasurable loss not only for Estée Lauder Companies but also for the global beauty industry. His legacy, leadership, and spirit will continue to resonate for generations to come.
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