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Leonard A. Lauder—a powerhouse executive within the beauty world, and the Chairman Emeritus of Estée Lauder Companies—has died at 92. Mr. Lauder passed on June 14th and was surrounded by family, confirms a statement from the company. “Mr. Lauder was a true visionary, fearless leader, and cherished friend to so many,” reads the statement. “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.”
Born in New York City, Lauder was the oldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, the co-founders of Estée Lauder Companies (which now serves as an umbrella company for over 20 luxury beauty brands including Tom Ford, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Jo Malone London, and of course, Estée Lauder). Lauder formally joined the family business in 1958, where he continued to grow the company for over six decades—transforming it from one beauty brand into a leading conglomerate. (Many of his accomplishments were outlined in his 2020 memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty.)
Notably, Lauder served as the President of Estée Lauder Companies from 1972 to 1995, and Chief Executive Officer from 1982 until 1999. (He also served as Chairman from 1995 to 2009.) Throughout his tenure, Lauder “consistently challenged the status quo, developing and implementing innovative sales and marketing programs that revolutionized the beauty industry,” read a statement from the company.
Lauder’s son, William P. Lauder—who is now the Chair of the Board of Director for Estée Lauder Companies—added: “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.”
The influential beauty expert was more than just his career, however. Prior to joining Estée Lauder Companies, Lauder also served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, and worked as a Navy reservist; The U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation later recognized him with its Distinguished Alumni Award.
In 2011, the Lauder Family also received the esteemed Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for their commitment to philanthropy and public service. Mr. Lauder was deeply involved in medical research, education, art, foreign policy, and philanthropy. Among many other initiatives, he was a longtime supporter of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was also a longtime advocate of Alzheimer s and cancer research (he served as an Honorary Chairman on the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, founded by his late wife, Evelyn H. Lauder, in 1993).
A private service will be held for Mr. Lauder for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the company is encouraging memorial donations in his honor to be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.
Mr. Lauder is survived by his wife, Judy Glickman Lauder; his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, wife Jo Carole Lauder, and their daughters Aerin Lauder and Jane Lauder; his son William P. Lauder; his son Gary M. Lauder and wife Laura Lauder; As well five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many stepchildren and step grandchildren.
