Leonard Lauder, the visionary businessman who transformed Estee Lauder into one of the world's largest cosmetic manufacturers, has sadly passed away at the age of 92. Lauder assumed control of his parents' company in 1958 and held the position of chief executive for an impressive 17 years. His remarkable skills as a dealmaker led to the acquisition of several prominent brands, including Clinique, Bobbi Brown, and MAC.
Known as an icon and pioneer in the beauty industry, Lauder earned respect and admiration globally. Stephane de La Faverie, the current CEO of Estee Lauder, expressed that, "His energy and vision helped shape our company and will continue to do so for generations to come." Lauder's legacy is firmly embedded in the fabric of the cosmetics world.
The New York-born billionaire was reported to have an estimated fortune of $10.1 billion (£7.5 billion), as per the 2025 Forbes rich list. Estee Lauder announced his passing on Saturday, stating that he died surrounded by his family. Born in 1933, Leonard was the eldest son of Estee and Joseph Lauder. He served as a lieutenant in the US Navy before officially joining the family business at the age of 25.
When Lauder began his journey with Estee Lauder, the company's annual sales were less than $1 million—equivalent to about $11 million today. Under his leadership, the firm evolved into a global cosmetics powerhouse, operating in 150 countries and generating sales of $15.6 billion last year. Lauder spearheaded the company's expansion into key markets in Europe and Asia and established its first-ever research and development laboratory.
In 1995, Lauder took the significant step of taking the company public, with its share price soaring by 33% on the inaugural day of trading in New York. He stepped down from his role as chief executive in 1999 but continued to play an active role in the business as chairman emeritus until his death.
Following his passing, numerous celebrities and business leaders have paid tribute to Leonard Lauder. Elizabeth Hurley, who received her first modeling opportunity with Estee Lauder, shared heartfelt sentiments on Instagram, referring to him as her "American Daddy" and expressing disbelief at a world without him. Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief at Forbes Media, remarked that Lauder "lived life well, and his passing is the world's loss."
Former New York mayor and multi-billionaire Mike Bloomberg stated, "His legacy will be felt for generations to come," emphasizing the profound impact Lauder had on both the business and beauty industries.
Beyond his business endeavors, Leonard Lauder was deeply passionate about art. In 2013, he made headlines by pledging his billion-dollar collection of Cubist artworks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He was also a dedicated advocate for cancer research, serving as the honorary chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Leonard Lauder's contributions to the beauty industry, philanthropy, and the arts have left an indelible mark that will endure for future generations. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have set a standard that will continue to inspire many.
