Leonard Lauder, the visionary businessman credited with transforming his mother’s cosmetics company, Estée Lauder, into a global beauty powerhouse, has died at the age of 92. He was a pivotal figure whose leadership shaped not only a single brand but the modern beauty industry itself.
Born in 1933, Leonard Lauder was the eldest son of Estée and Joseph Lauder, the founders of the iconic brand. After serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, he joined the family business in 1958. At the time, it was a relatively small operation with annual sales under $1 million, focused primarily on a handful of products sold in U.S. stores.
Building a Global Empire
Over six decades, Lauder played a central role in the company’s dramatic growth. He held numerous key leadership positions, including President (1972-1995), Chief Executive Officer (1982-1999), and Chairman (1995-2009), remaining Chairman Emeritus until his death.
He was recognized as a “visionary and innovator,” introducing professional management practices and spearheading the company’s ambitious expansion into international markets, particularly in Europe and Asia. Under his guidance, Estée Lauder established its first research and development laboratory, laying the foundation for future product innovation.
Lauder was also known as an accomplished and “canny dealmaker.” He was instrumental in launching major new brands such as Clinique (1968), Aramis, and Lab Series. Furthermore, he led the strategic acquisition of numerous beloved beauty brands that are now cornerstones of the Estée Lauder Companies portfolio, including:
Clinique (launched, later expanded)
Bobbi Brown
MAC Cosmetics
Jo Malone London
Aveda
La Mer
These moves dramatically broadened the company’s reach across market segments and consumer preferences.
A significant milestone during his tenure was taking The Estée Lauder Companies public in 1995. The initial public offering (IPO) was a resounding success, with the share price rising by 33% on the first day of trading in New York, reflecting strong market confidence in the business he had built.
Today, The Estée Lauder Companies operates in approximately 150 countries, boasting a portfolio of two dozen prestigious brands and reporting annual sales exceeding $15 billion. While it is a public company, the Lauder family retains significant control, holding a majority of the voting rights. Leonard Lauder remained involved with the business, stepping down from the board only in 2023 at the age of 90. His son, William Lauder, now serves as Executive Chairman.
A Legacy of Impact and Tributes
Tributes poured in from across the business and beauty worlds. Stephane de La Faverie, the current CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies, described Lauder as “an icon and pioneer” whose “energy and vision helped shape our company and will continue to do so for generations to come.”
His son, William Lauder, highlighted his father’s profound impact, stating he “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.” William also noted his father’s deep affection for his employees, who he believed were the “heart and soul” of the company, and that he was “adored by them.”
Celebrities and prominent figures also shared their condolences. Actress Elizabeth Hurley, who started her modeling career with the company, called him her “American Daddy.” Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg remembered him as a devoted and generous philanthropist, while designer Ralph Lauren praised him as “a man of honor, a man of integrity, a man of great energy and passion.”
Beyond the Boardroom: Art, Philanthropy, and Family
Beyond his towering business achievements, Leonard Lauder was a renowned art collector and a remarkably generous philanthropist. He was particularly passionate about Cubist art, and in 2013, he made a landmark donation of his collection of 81 Cubist works by masters like Picasso, Braque, Gris, and Leger to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Valued at an estimated $1 billion, this gift was intended to “transform the Met” and led to the creation of a new wing dedicated to modern art. He also provided significant support to the Whitney Museum of American Art, making one of the largest endowments in its history.
Lauder was also a dedicated advocate for medical research. He served as honorary chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an organization founded by his late wife, Evelyn Lauder. With his brother Ronald, he co-founded and led the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. In 2022, he made a substantial $125 million donation to the University of Pennsylvania to establish a tuition-free nurse practitioner program. His son Gary described him as the “most charitable man” he knew.
A billionaire with an estimated fortune that fluctuated over the years, peaking at one point near $25.5 billion, Lauder maintained that his primary motivation was not wealth but seeing the company become “the greatest company in the world.”
Leonard Lauder was married to Evelyn Lauder from 1959 until her death in 2011. He later married photographer Judy Glickman in 2015. He passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Judy, his sons William and Gary, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his brother Ronald. His warmth, thoughtfulness, and kindness were remembered by those who knew him.
Lauder’s legacy as an architect of the modern beauty industry, a passionate patron of the arts, and a dedicated philanthropist will undoubtedly continue to inspire for generations to come.
