Leonard Lauder, a renowned philanthropist and pivotal figure in the cosmetics industry, has died at the age of 92. Estee Lauder Companies announced his passing in a statement released on Sunday, noting that he died on Saturday, surrounded by his loving family.
Leonard Lauder was the oldest son of Estee and Joseph H. Lauder, who founded the Estee Lauder Companies in 1946. Lauder formally joined the family business in 1958, and over a remarkable span of more than six decades, he significantly transformed the company from a modest operation with a handful of products sold under a single brand in the U.S. to a multi-brand global giant.
At the time of his death, Lauder held the title of chairman emeritus. Under his leadership, Estee Lauder's products are now available in approximately 150 countries and territories, featuring well-known brands like Clinique and Aveda. According to the company's most recent annual report, Estee Lauder generated nearly $16 billion in sales during the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2024.
Lauder played an instrumental role in the company's journey to becoming a publicly traded entity in 1995. Despite the company going public, Lauder family members still maintain approximately 84% of the voting power of common stock, as per the latest annual filing. Leonard Lauder served as president from 1972 to 1995 and as CEO from 1982 to 1999, before being named chairman in 1995, a position he held until June 2009.
During his tenure, Lauder was the driving force behind numerous innovations, including the establishment of the company’s first research and development laboratory. He brought in professional management at every level and spearheaded the international expansion of Estee Lauder Companies, leading to exponential growth in both sales and profits.
Lauder was also responsible for launching several successful brands, including Aramis, Clinique, and Lab Series. Even in his later years as chairman emeritus, he remained actively involved in the company’s acquisition strategy, overseeing the integration of brands such as Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone London, and MAC.
Leonard Lauder was not just a business mogul; he was also a dedicated philanthropist. His son, William P. Lauder, who chairs the board at The Estee Lauder Companies, expressed that his father worked tirelessly to innovate the beauty industry. “He was the most charitable man I have ever known,” William stated, highlighting Leonard’s commitment to causes such as art, education, and the fight against diseases like Alzheimer’s and breast cancer.
Lauder was a longtime benefactor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 2013, he pledged his 78-piece collection of Cubist art to the museum, marking the largest single philanthropic gift in its history. He later added five significant works to this donation and also helped establish the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art, which supports fellowships, exhibitions, and public lectures.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Leonard Lauder was deeply involved in arts and culture. He served as chairman emeritus of the Whitney Museum of American Art and was a trustee from 1977 to 2011. He was married to Evelyn H. Lauder, a senior corporate vice president at the Estee Lauder Companies and founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, from 1959 until her passing in 2011. In 2015, he married Judy Glickman Lauder, a philanthropist and internationally recognized photographer.
Born in 1933 in New York City, Lauder was a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science and attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He also studied at Columbia University's graduate school of business. Serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and later as a Navy reservist, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation.
Leonard Lauder is survived by his second wife, Judy, his son William, his other son Gary M. Lauder and daughter-in-law Laura Lauder, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, numerous stepchildren, and his brother Ronald S. Lauder, along with his wife Jo Carole Lauder and their daughters Aerin and Jane Lauder.
