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USA Today
6 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Leonard Lauder, cosmetics heir and philanthropist, dies at 92
Leonard Lauder, cosmetics heir and philanthropist, dies at 92 Leonard Lauder, the heir of the Estée Lauder cosmetics fortune, died June 14, The Estée Lauder Companies announced in a June 15 press release. Lauder, 92, served as president of the cosmetics giant from 1972 to 1995 and as Chief Executive Officer from 1982 to 1999. Lauder was the son of Estée and Joseph Lauder, who founded their company in 1946 in New York City. He officially joined the company in 1958 after studying at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business, the press release stated. He was named chairman in 1995 and oversaw the launch of brands including Aramis and Clinique and remained involved with The Estée Lauder Companies' acquisitions strategy until his death, the company said in the press release. "Leonard was a wonderful brother and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, and friend," Ronald S. Lauder, Chairman of Clinique Laboratories, said of his brother in the press release. "His legacy extends far beyond being the heart of our family. His impact will be felt for generations to come thanks to his tireless philanthropy, advocacy, and creativity in tackling some of the world's greatest challenges." Lauder served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and as a Navy reservist, for which the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation later recognized him with its Distinguished Alumni Award. Lauder was one of the wealthiest people in the world, with an estimated worth in the 2025 Forbes list of billionaires at $10.1 billion. Philanthropy included multiple record-breaking donations Lauder, a graduate of the Bronx School of Science, made multiple notable donations during his life. In 2020, Lauder made a $125 million donation to the University of Pennsylvania to create a tuition-free program to educate nurse practitioners. The donation was the largest ever made to an American nursing school, according to the press release. He pledged his 78-piece collection of Cubist art to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013 – the largest the largest single philanthropic gift in the museum's history – and later added seven other pieces, according to the press release. In addition to the pledge, he helped establish the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at the Met to support a robust program of fellowships, focused exhibitions and public lectures. "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," William P. Lauder, Leonard's son and Chair of the Board of Directors for the The Estée Lauder Companies, said in the statement. Lauder served as Honorary Chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the organization his late wife, Evelyn Lauder, founded in 1993 as well as founding and leading the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation with Ronald. Lauder is survived by his wife, Judy Glickman Lauder, his brother Ronald, his sons William and Gary Lauder, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren as well as "many stepchildren and step grandchildren," according to the press release. Contributing: Palm Beach Daily News – USA TODAY Network
Elle
6 days ago
- Business
- Elle
Leonard Lauder Created the Beauty Industry as You Know It
The day before Father's Day, Leonard Lauder, the father of the beauty industry, passed away. Leonard, 92, was the eldest son of Estée Lauder, the woman who started the now multi-billion-dollar eponymous business from their family kitchen. Leonard went on to serve as the chairman and CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies for several decades. As Linda Wells, editor of Air Mail Look and founder of Allure, wrote on Instagram, the timing of his passing was 'fitting:' 'He was a father figure to so many of us in the biz, me included.' In his memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty, he wrote, 'I remember sitting in the kitchen, watching my mother cook up facial creams on the stove.' In carrying on his mother's legacy, Leonard became an early champion of women and took The Estée Lauder Companies to extraordinary heights. Standing at over 6 feet tall, 'Leonard was such a beautiful giant—literally and figuratively,' Gwen Flamberg, beauty director at Grazia, tells ELLE. When asked about his essential rules for business, Leonard said rule No. 1 was being accountable, but called this rule No. 2: 'Never make an important decision without a woman at the table. Growing up with a mother like Estée Lauder, how could I not respect and seek out smart, tough women? Strong women have made some of the best decisions for this company.' Jamie Rosen, a contributing editor to Town & Country and founder of the Substack Office of the Surface, recalls Leonard speaking at her undergraduate business school class at Emory and wowing the students: 'He was by far the most charismatic guest we had, but he also had a lot of concrete advice, much of it running counter to what I had assumed about running a successful business. It was less about being cutthroat and more about being clever. He emphasized surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you, and [that included women].' Leonard was an innovator, creating many 'firsts' for the beauty industry. The slanted shape of today's lipsticks was a spur-of-the-moment invention that he made after noticing that women would purse their lips during application. With a stroke of quick DIY brilliance, he took out a Gillette razor and slashed a lipstick at an angle. (Inventions even occurred to him while sleeping—he said that the idea for tinted lip gloss came to him in a dream). Leonard also coined the phrase 'the lipstick index,' an economic term referring to the recession-proof nature of cosmetics that he observed from the 2001 crisis, and created the company's first research and development laboratory. His first wife, Evelyn, made the pink ribbon for breast cancer ubiquitous (she created it along with Alexandra Penney, an editor at SELF) and founded the Breast Cancer Research Fund. The Estée Lauder Companies made it a global mission to raise awareness for the disease, starting with distributing breast cancer research cards at counters across the nation. BCRF is now the largest private funder of breast cancer research, and deaths from the disease have declined by 44 percent since the charity was founded in 1993. 'When Evelyn and I sat at their kitchen table discussing a possible foundation to connect breast cancer laboratory and clinical research, Leonard overheard and said, 'I'm in!'' remembers BCRF founding scientific director Dr. Larry Norton. Leonard became an honorary chairman. 'A really beautiful memory I have is of the memorial service for Evelyn that the family hosted at the Koch Theater. The way he spoke of her! He recalled the story of how they met and he said, 'That was my girl... my Evelyn,'' Flamberg says. When he joined the company at 25 in 1958, it had only one brand and below $1 million dollars in sales. Known as a collector, a personality trait he developed as a young boy who first collected postcards and posters, Leonard also collected companies. Now, The Estée Lauder Companies encompasses more than 20-plus brands sold in more than 150 markets. He developed brands in-house, such as Clinique, and also bought and grew companies like Jo Malone London and Bobbi Brown. Leonard bought Brown's eponymous company in 1995, and their long relationship started with a phone call and a tour of his art. She tells ELLE: 'He told me we were beating him at the stores and that he'd like to buy us. I told him we were not for sale. Then, he invited me to dinner at his beautiful apartment on Central Park. He was so real and normal. He instantly made me feel comfortable.' Brown later showed him the boat she named after him called TYLL, which stands for 'Thank you, Leonard Lauder,' and he placed a photo of the catamaran on the mirror in his bedroom. Leonard gave Brown business advice, including the old adage 'to ask for forgiveness and not permission.' She explains: 'He himself was a bit of a rule-breaker, and with that twinkle in his eye, he always encouraged me to follow my gut and do what I knew was best. He was the ultimate eye-roller and head-shaker when I called him to discuss roadblocks, and I know he had to walk a fine line and deal with both the creative and business sides. He was the most open, insightful, creative, and brilliant thinker, that cared as deeply about the formula and marketing as he did about sales. He was always as excited to hear about my innovations as he was about the bottom line. He never wanted to homogenize my brand and make it like everyone else's. He believed in the uniqueness and simplicity of who we were.' Leonard also became so successful at distribution that he recently told Air Mail that a trick he used to fall asleep was to think of brick-and-mortar stores. 'Instead of counting sheep, I mentally check off all the specialty department stores we used to sell to, starting in Portland, Maine, with Porteous, Mitchell & Braun, and working my way down the East Coast, past R. H. Stern and Filene's in Boston, Gladding's in Providence, G. Fox in Hartford, and so on. I'm usually asleep before I get to New York.' Leonard enjoyed collecting art as well, always with the intention of sharing his pieces with others. 'I collect to conserve and share what I'm assembling for present and future generations,' he told ArtNews. He also often hosted events at his house for the beauty industry. 'My most favorite memory of Leonard is when we were invited to his and Evelyn's home to see the famous Gustav Klimt painting 'The Lady in Gold,'' Flamberg remembers. He donated 78 works of art to the Metropolitan Museum, now called the Leonard A. Lauder Cubist Collection, and became the Whitney Museum's single largest benefactor. The Whitney downtown has named a building after him. 'And by the time I'm dead, which I hope will be a long time from now, all my art will have been distributed to museums or my prints will have been distributed, posters posted, everything. They belong with the people not in my house, but in the house of the people which are museums,' he said in a 2020 talk at Brandeis University. 'I think he felt that he had a duty that came with his success—a duty to protect and to share—and his philanthropy was unmatched,' says Sarah Brown, former beauty director at Vogue and founder of Sarah Brown Advisory. 'The mark he and his family has had upon New York's cultural institutions and his support of the advancement of breast cancer research, especially, has undoubtedly changed, and saved, lives.' Leonard was also known for his people-first mentality, and delighted telling people in more recent years that he was the company's Chief Teaching Officer. 'He believed that a company's wealth is its people and focused on mentoring and fostering growth within the company's diverse talent pool,' The Estée Lauder Companies said in a press release after his passing. He loved hand-written thank you notes, often composed on his signature robin's-egg blue stationery. Bobbi Brown still has all hers. 'I have saved every note I got on his blue stationery, and I also have a few postcards. Some were delivered in the mail, but most of them came hand-delivered in those manila folders that the couriers brought around. He was also the one who encouraged me to write post cards to hundreds of customers as I traveled the globe, meeting new people and coming up with new ideas.' Writer Jamie Rosen remembers, 'He has been referred [to] as the 'master builder of beauty' and he certainly was, but I believe his legacy is about people. The people he believed in early in their careers (Bobbi Brown, for one!) and the way he made others feel—a part of something bigger than themselves.' Brown agrees. 'Every time I saw him, I felt listened to and supported. We would often end the conversation with, 'I love you.' I know many people were touched by Leonard in the same ways and so many of us loved and admired him. But there was always enough of Leonard around for all of us.'
Business Upturn
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Cosmetics Industry Icon Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus, The Estée Lauder Companies, Passes Away
New York, United States: It is with deep sadness that The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) announces that Chairman Emeritus Leonard A. Lauder passed away on June 14, at the age of 92, surrounded by family. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Leonard A. Lauder Mr. Lauder was born in 1933 in New York City, the oldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, the founders of The Estée Lauder Companies. He was a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and the Officer Candidate School of the United States Navy. Mr. Lauder studied at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and as a Navy reservist, for which the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation later recognized him with its Distinguished Alumni Award. He formally joined Estée Lauder in 1958, and for more than six decades, Mr. Lauder was a visionary and an innovator, helping transform the business from a handful of products sold under a single brand in U.S. stores to the multi-brand, global leader in prestige beauty that it is today. '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,' said William P. Lauder, son and Chair, Board of Directors, The Estée Lauder Companies. '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. His warmth and thoughtfulness made an imprint on our company, the industry, and, of course, our family. Together with my family, The Estée Lauder Companies, and the countless people he touched, we celebrate his extraordinary life.' Mr. Lauder served as President of The Estée Lauder Companies from 1972 to 1995 and as Chief Executive Officer from 1982 through 1999. He was named Chairman in 1995 and served in that role through June 2009. Throughout his tenure at the company, Mr. Lauder consistently challenged the status quo, developing and implementing innovative sales and marketing programs that revolutionized the beauty industry. He created the company's first research and development laboratory, brought in professional management at every level, and was the driving force behind The Estée Lauder Companies' international expansion, helping to increase the company's sales and profits exponentially. A legendary brand builder, Mr. Lauder led the launch of many brands including Aramis, Clinique, and Lab Series, among others. Until his death, he remained deeply involved in the company's acquisition strategy, including the acquisitions of Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone London, La Mer, and M∙A∙C. Speaking for The Estée Lauder Companies, President and Chief Executive Officer Stéphane de La Faverie said, '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. He was a deeply compassionate leader who cared profoundly about every person in the company. I feel privileged to have worked with Leonard, who has been the best mentor I could have dreamt to learn from. He will be remembered by all of us.' During his many years as Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Lauder was closely involved in the business and day-to-day operations of the company and was a constant fixture at The Estée Lauder Companies' global headquarters in New York and at our stores and counters across the globe until the time of his death. Mr. Lauder believed that each of his colleagues was like a member of his family and treated them as such. The values that continue to set the company apart are the values he so strongly believed in and embodied, most notably generosity of spirit and kindness toward all. Perhaps the role Mr. Lauder was most proud of was the unofficial one as The Estée Lauder Companies' 'chief teaching officer.' He believed that a company's wealth is its people and focused on mentoring and fostering growth within the company's diverse talent pool. He believed strongly in the importance of recognition and gratitude and was a tireless advocate for employees. At the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, Mr. Lauder was instrumental in setting up the ELC Cares Employee Relief Fund to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of employees and their families. Mr. Lauder was deeply involved in medical research, education, art, foreign policy, and philanthropy, and the marks he made on those worlds were transformational. Mr. Lauder believed passionately in the importance of public access to art and museums, which inspired his philosophy that the primary role of a collector was to conserve, not possess. He was a long-time supporter of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) and, in 2013, pledged his 78-piece collection of Cubist art to the museum in the largest single philanthropic gift in the Met's history. He later added five major works to that promised gift. In concert with his Cubist collection donation, he helped establish the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at the Met to support a robust program of fellowships, focused exhibitions, and public lectures. Along with his prominent presence at the Met, he also served as the Whitney Museum of American Art's Chairman Emeritus and a trustee from 1977 to 2011. Throughout his life, he donated works of art and endowed curatorial positions and research departments to numerous institutions. Mr. Lauder was a long-time advocate of cancer research and served as Honorary Chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the organization his beloved late-wife, Evelyn H. Lauder, founded in 1993. He also championed the fight against Alzheimer's by co-founding and leading the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation with his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, which supports cutting-edge drug research. Mr. Lauder remained actively engaged with these organizations until his death, and they were extraordinarily dear to his heart. Remembering his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, Chairman, Clinique Laboratories, LLC at The Estée Lauder Companies, said, 'Leonard was a wonderful brother and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, and friend. But his legacy extends far beyond being the heart of our family. His impact will be felt for generations to come thanks to his tireless philanthropy, advocacy, and creativity in tackling some of the world's greatest challenges. The number of lives he touched and positively impacted across all his endeavors is immeasurable. His passion and generosity have inspired us all, and there are no words to express how much he will be missed.' 'My father was a remarkable man, a leader in business, a devoted philanthropist, and a deeply loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather,' said Gary M. Lauder, son and Member, Board of Directors, The Estée Lauder Companies. 'His energy, sharp intellect, and generous spirit touched the lives of so many across the world. To me, he was also a constant source of encouragement, wisdom, and love. His legacy is vast, not only in the beauty industry, but in the countless lives improved by his charitable efforts and his passionate commitment to the arts, education, and healthcare. He was not only well-respected and admired, but he was also adored by his employees and colleagues. This affection stands out for me. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his extraordinary life, his lasting contributions, and the values he instilled in all of us: integrity, curiosity, and the importance of giving back. He will be missed more than words can express.' Mr. Lauder believed in the value of education and supported a variety of academic institutions. He was an emeritus trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and a founding member of the board of governors of its Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies, along with his brother, Ronald. His passion for education continued into the public space, having supported several schools in the New York area and receiving the honor of being an inductee into the Bronx High School of Science Hall of Fame in 2017. When the pandemic in 2020 magnified the nation's acute shortage of quality primary care in underserved communities, Mr. Lauder worked with the University of Pennsylvania to create a tuition-free program to educate nurse practitioners. His donation of $125 million, the largest gift ever to an American nursing school, made possible the Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lauder worked throughout his life to promote dialogue among governments, political and non-governmental organizations, and the public and private sectors, believing that this interdisciplinary dialogue is crucial to progress. He served as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and as Chairman Emeritus and a lifetime trustee on the board of directors at the Aspen Institute. He felt that public service was a person's duty and, in addition to his time in the U.S. Navy, later served on the Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations under President Ronald Reagan from 1983–1987. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Lauder was honored with a myriad of awards, including the 'Lone Sailor' Award given by the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation, the Légion d'Honneur given by the government of France, the Women's Leadership Award given by the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund Women's Leadership Council, and the Palazzo Strozzi Renaissance Man of the Year Award. In 2020, he was inducted into the Retail Hall of Fame by the World Retail Congress. The Lauder family received the esteemed 2011 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in recognition of its long-standing commitment to philanthropy and public service. In 2014, Mr. Lauder was named a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. Mr. Lauder and Ms. Glickman Lauder also received the Gordon Parks Foundation Patron of the Arts Award in 2016. Mr. Lauder shared many of the lessons he learned in business and life in his memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty, published to great acclaim in 2020. He was married to Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President at The Estée Lauder Companies and the Founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, from 1959 until she passed away in 2011. On January 1, 2015, Mr. Lauder married Judy Glickman Lauder, a philanthropist and internationally recognized photographer whose work is represented in more than 300 public and private collections, including the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Whitney Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the United States Holocaust Museum. Mr. Lauder considered himself lucky in love and believed that lightning really could strike twice. From the beginning, he was devoted to family. He loved his parents and adored his brother, Ronald, and the family Ronald built with Jo Carole. His nieces and their families held a special place in his heart. Mr. Lauder was grateful to his wife, Judy, for widening his family circle and cherished his stepchildren and their families. But mostly, he was extraordinarily proud of both of his sons, their families, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved them so dearly. Mr. Lauder was a true visionary, fearless leader, and cherished friend to so many. He was the beacon of our company and the north star of an entire industry. The world is a better place because Leonard Lauder was in it. The Estée Lauder Companies extends our deepest sympathies to the entire Lauder family during this exceedingly difficult time. Mr. Lauder is survived by his wife, Judy Glickman Lauder; his son William P. Lauder; his son Gary M. Lauder and wife, Laura Lauder; five grandchildren, Rachel, Danielle, Djuna-Bear, Joshua, Eliana, two great-grandchildren, many stepchildren and step grandchildren, as well as his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, and wife, Jo Carole Lauder, and their daughters, Aerin Lauder and Jane Lauder. A private service will be held for friends and family. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation. About The Estée Lauder Companies The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) is one of the world's leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company's products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty. ELC-C ELC-L View source version on Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Leonard A. Lauder, beauty industry icon and Alzheimer's advocate, dies at 92
Image: Leonard A. Lauder, the founders of The Estée Lauder Companies, passed away on Sunday. Not just a businessman, Leonard was known for his love for art, philanthropy and his contribution to medical institutions, and breast cancer and Alzheimer's research. The death was announced by the Estée Lauder Companies. He was 92. '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,' said William P. Lauder, son and Chair, Board of Directors, The Estée Lauder Companies. '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. His warmth and thoughtfulness made an imprint on our company, the industry, and, of course, our family. Together with my family, The Estée Lauder Companies, and the countless people he touched, we celebrate his extraordinary life.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Born in 1933 in New York City, the oldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, Leonard was was a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and the Officer Candidate School of the United States Navy. He also studied at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. He served as President of The Estée Lauder Companies from 1972 to 1995 and as Chief Executive Officer from 1982 through 1999. The man who dreamt of taking Estee Lauder to great heights When Leonard A. Lauder joined Estée Lauder, the company was making just around $800,000 a year. But his dream, as he wrote in his 2020 memoir The Company I Keep, was much bigger—he wanted to turn Estée Lauder into the "General Motors of the beauty business." And he did just that. By 2021, the company's annual sales had skyrocketed to over $16 billion—even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, Estée Lauder grew into a global beauty powerhouse, with around 30 brands sold in 150 countries. While the company went public in 1995, the Lauder family still kept a tight grip. As of January 2025, they owned about 85% of the voting stock and roughly 38% of the total common stock. Leonard remained a senior board member until the end, watching the company grow from a family-run brand into a global beauty empire. His contribution to Alzheimer's research Leonard Lauder wasn't just a beauty mogul—he was a force in philanthropy too. He co-founded and chaired the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) with his brother in honor of their mother, Estee Lauder's, battle with Alzheimer's. He also helped launch the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering with his first wife, and served as an emeritus trustee at the University of Pennsylvania. Beyond business, he was one of America's most generous art lovers and donors, giving hundreds of millions to museums, hospitals, and research in Alzheimer's and breast cancer. "Leonard Lauder was a once-in-a-generation visionary whose leadership, along with his brother Ronald, reshaped the Alzheimer's research landscape," said Dr. Howard Fillit, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF. "From the very beginning, Leonard understood that Alzheimer's does not just impact the patient, it affects entire families. The Lauder family recognized the emotional, financial, and societal toll of this disease, and built the ADDF to accelerate the discovery and development of treatments that could change the trajectory for patients and their loved ones. Leonard's vision, generosity, and humanity spanned across his business acumen to his philanthropic endeavors, touching countless lives, and his legacy will endure in every breakthrough we help bring forward." One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Business Wire
15-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cosmetics Industry Icon Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus, The Estée Lauder Companies, Passes Away
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It is with deep sadness that The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) announces that Chairman Emeritus Leonard A. Lauder passed away on June 14, at the age of 92, surrounded by family. Mr. Lauder was born in 1933 in New York City, the oldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, the founders of The Estée Lauder Companies. He was a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and the Officer Candidate School of the United States Navy. Mr. Lauder studied at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and as a Navy reservist, for which the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation later recognized him with its Distinguished Alumni Award. He formally joined Estée Lauder in 1958, and for more than six decades, Mr. Lauder was a visionary and an innovator, helping transform the business from a handful of products sold under a single brand in U.S. stores to the multi-brand, global leader in prestige beauty that it is today. '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,' said William P. Lauder, son and Chair, Board of Directors, The Estée Lauder Companies. '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. His warmth and thoughtfulness made an imprint on our company, the industry, and, of course, our family. Together with my family, The Estée Lauder Companies, and the countless people he touched, we celebrate his extraordinary life.' Mr. Lauder served as President of The Estée Lauder Companies from 1972 to 1995 and as Chief Executive Officer from 1982 through 1999. He was named Chairman in 1995 and served in that role through June 2009. Throughout his tenure at the company, Mr. Lauder consistently challenged the status quo, developing and implementing innovative sales and marketing programs that revolutionized the beauty industry. He created the company's first research and development laboratory, brought in professional management at every level, and was the driving force behind The Estée Lauder Companies' international expansion, helping to increase the company's sales and profits exponentially. A legendary brand builder, Mr. Lauder led the launch of many brands including Aramis, Clinique, and Lab Series, among others. Until his death, he remained deeply involved in the company's acquisition strategy, including the acquisitions of Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone London, La Mer, and M∙A∙C. Speaking for The Estée Lauder Companies, President and Chief Executive Officer Stéphane de La Faverie said, '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. He was a deeply compassionate leader who cared profoundly about every person in the company. I feel privileged to have worked with Leonard, who has been the best mentor I could have dreamt to learn from. He will be remembered by all of us.' During his many years as Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Lauder was closely involved in the business and day-to-day operations of the company and was a constant fixture at The Estée Lauder Companies' global headquarters in New York and at our stores and counters across the globe until the time of his death. Mr. Lauder believed that each of his colleagues was like a member of his family and treated them as such. The values that continue to set the company apart are the values he so strongly believed in and embodied, most notably generosity of spirit and kindness toward all. Perhaps the role Mr. Lauder was most proud of was the unofficial one as The Estée Lauder Companies' 'chief teaching officer.' He believed that a company's wealth is its people and focused on mentoring and fostering growth within the company's diverse talent pool. He believed strongly in the importance of recognition and gratitude and was a tireless advocate for employees. At the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, Mr. Lauder was instrumental in setting up the ELC Cares Employee Relief Fund to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of employees and their families. Mr. Lauder was deeply involved in medical research, education, art, foreign policy, and philanthropy, and the marks he made on those worlds were transformational. Mr. Lauder believed passionately in the importance of public access to art and museums, which inspired his philosophy that the primary role of a collector was to conserve, not possess. He was a long-time supporter of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) and, in 2013, pledged his 78-piece collection of Cubist art to the museum in the largest single philanthropic gift in the Met's history. He later added five major works to that promised gift. In concert with his Cubist collection donation, he helped establish the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at the Met to support a robust program of fellowships, focused exhibitions, and public lectures. Along with his prominent presence at the Met, he also served as the Whitney Museum of American Art's Chairman Emeritus and a trustee from 1977 to 2011. Throughout his life, he donated works of art and endowed curatorial positions and research departments to numerous institutions. Mr. Lauder was a long-time advocate of cancer research and served as Honorary Chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the organization his beloved late-wife, Evelyn H. Lauder, founded in 1993. He also championed the fight against Alzheimer's by co-founding and leading the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation with his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, which supports cutting-edge drug research. Mr. Lauder remained actively engaged with these organizations until his death, and they were extraordinarily dear to his heart. Remembering his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, Chairman, Clinique Laboratories, LLC at The Estée Lauder Companies, said, 'Leonard was a wonderful brother and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, and friend. But his legacy extends far beyond being the heart of our family. His impact will be felt for generations to come thanks to his tireless philanthropy, advocacy, and creativity in tackling some of the world's greatest challenges. The number of lives he touched and positively impacted across all his endeavors is immeasurable. His passion and generosity have inspired us all, and there are no words to express how much he will be missed.' 'My father was a remarkable man, a leader in business, a devoted philanthropist, and a deeply loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather,' said Gary M. Lauder, son and Member, Board of Directors, The Estée Lauder Companies. 'His energy, sharp intellect, and generous spirit touched the lives of so many across the world. To me, he was also a constant source of encouragement, wisdom, and love. His legacy is vast, not only in the beauty industry, but in the countless lives improved by his charitable efforts and his passionate commitment to the arts, education, and healthcare. He was not only well-respected and admired, but he was also adored by his employees and colleagues. This affection stands out for me. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his extraordinary life, his lasting contributions, and the values he instilled in all of us: integrity, curiosity, and the importance of giving back. He will be missed more than words can express.' Mr. Lauder believed in the value of education and supported a variety of academic institutions. He was an emeritus trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and a founding member of the board of governors of its Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies, along with his brother, Ronald. His passion for education continued into the public space, having supported several schools in the New York area and receiving the honor of being an inductee into the Bronx High School of Science Hall of Fame in 2017. When the pandemic in 2020 magnified the nation's acute shortage of quality primary care in underserved communities, Mr. Lauder worked with the University of Pennsylvania to create a tuition-free program to educate nurse practitioners. His donation of $125 million, the largest gift ever to an American nursing school, made possible the Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lauder worked throughout his life to promote dialogue among governments, political and non-governmental organizations, and the public and private sectors, believing that this interdisciplinary dialogue is crucial to progress. He served as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and as Chairman Emeritus and a lifetime trustee on the board of directors at the Aspen Institute. He felt that public service was a person's duty and, in addition to his time in the U.S. Navy, later served on the Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations under President Ronald Reagan from 1983–1987. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Lauder was honored with a myriad of awards, including the 'Lone Sailor' Award given by the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation, the Légion d'Honneur given by the government of France, the Women's Leadership Award given by the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund Women's Leadership Council, and the Palazzo Strozzi Renaissance Man of the Year Award. In 2020, he was inducted into the Retail Hall of Fame by the World Retail Congress. The Lauder family received the esteemed 2011 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in recognition of its long-standing commitment to philanthropy and public service. In 2014, Mr. Lauder was named a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. Mr. Lauder and Ms. Glickman Lauder also received the Gordon Parks Foundation Patron of the Arts Award in 2016. Mr. Lauder shared many of the lessons he learned in business and life in his memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty, published to great acclaim in 2020. He was married to Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President at The Estée Lauder Companies and the Founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, from 1959 until she passed away in 2011. On January 1, 2015, Mr. Lauder married Judy Glickman Lauder, a philanthropist and internationally recognized photographer whose work is represented in more than 300 public and private collections, including the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Whitney Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the United States Holocaust Museum. Mr. Lauder considered himself lucky in love and believed that lightning really could strike twice. From the beginning, he was devoted to family. He loved his parents and adored his brother, Ronald, and the family Ronald built with Jo Carole. His nieces and their families held a special place in his heart. Mr. Lauder was grateful to his wife, Judy, for widening his family circle and cherished his stepchildren and their families. But mostly, he was extraordinarily proud of both of his sons, their families, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved them so dearly. Mr. Lauder was a true visionary, fearless leader, and cherished friend to so many. He was the beacon of our company and the north star of an entire industry. The world is a better place because Leonard Lauder was in it. The Estée Lauder Companies extends our deepest sympathies to the entire Lauder family during this exceedingly difficult time. Mr. Lauder is survived by his wife, Judy Glickman Lauder; his son William P. Lauder; his son Gary M. Lauder and wife, Laura Lauder; five grandchildren, Rachel, Danielle, Djuna-Bear, Joshua, Eliana, two great-grandchildren, many stepchildren and step grandchildren, as well as his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, and wife, Jo Carole Lauder, and their daughters, Aerin Lauder and Jane Lauder. A private service will be held for friends and family. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) is one of the world's leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company's products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.
