Leonard A. Lauder, the renowned philanthropist and business titan who transformed his family cosmetics company into a global beauty empire, has died at the age of 92.
He leaves a towering legacy of leadership, generosity, and global influence: a man whose vision reshaped beauty and whose generosity enriched the world.
The elder son of Estée Lauder, Leonard led The Estée Lauder Companies through a pivotal era of innovation and international growth. He served as company president from 1972 to 1995 and CEO from 1982 until 1999, later becoming Chairman Emeritus.
Under his stewardship, Estée Lauder evolved from a niche brand into a $15.6 billion global powerhouse with more than 25 brands sold in 150 countries.
“He was the most charitable man I have ever known,” said his son William P. Lauder, Chair of the company's Board of Directors. “He believed that art and education belonged to everyone, and championed the fight against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and breast cancer.”
Born in 1933, Lauder grew up in a middle-class New York household. His mother Estée, the daughter of Jewish immigrants, was a cosmetics saleswoman who eventually began concocting her own beauty products in the family kitchen. She and her husband Joseph H. Lauder turned the modest operation into a thriving business.
Lauder learned about business from his parents from an early age. He joined the company in 1958 after graduating from the Wharton School and serving in the U.S. Navy. With sharp instincts and an eye for growth, he focused on innovation, brand-building, and relentless global expansion.
Among his key achievements was the successful development and acquisition of iconic brands into Estée Lauder's portfolio, including Clinique and MAC, helping elevate the company name into a category-defining force in prestige beauty.
Lauder even coined a macroeconomic term: the "lipstick index," an economic indicator suggesting that sales of affordable luxury goods, such as lipstick, increase during economic slumps.
His brother Ronald S. Lauder, Chairman of Clinique Laboratories, described his older sibling as “a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, and friend. But his legacy extends far beyond being the heart of our family … His passion and generosity have inspired us all.”
Beyond business, Lauder left an indelible mark on the world of arts, science, education, and public health. In 2013, he made history by pledging his landmark collection of 78 Cubist masterpieces — featuring works by Picasso, Braque, and Léger — to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Valued at over $1 billion, the gift remains the largest in the museum’s history.
In tandem, he funded the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at the Met, created to support scholarship and public engagement.
Lauder was a major supporter of Alzheimer’s and breast cancer research, carrying forward the legacy of his late wife, Evelyn H. Lauder, who founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993. Lauder served as its honorary chairman until his passing.
His dedication extended to nearly every realm of public good, donating hundreds of millions to causes across science, education, and foreign policy.
“My father was a remarkable man,” said his son Gary M. Lauder, a member of the Estée Lauder board. “His energy, sharp intellect, and generous spirit touched the lives of so many. His legacy is vast — not only in the beauty industry but in the countless lives improved by his charitable efforts.”
Despite his stature, colleagues remember him for humility and warmth. “Leonard Lauder was beloved by many and will be missed tremendously,” said Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies. “He was a deeply compassionate leader who cared profoundly about every person in the company.”
Even after retiring from executive leadership, Lauder remained actively involved in company affairs, mentoring leadership and supporting employees with a personal touch. His 2020 memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty, offers insight into his business philosophy and personal journey.
Leonard Lauder is survived by his wife, photographer and Holocaust documentarian Judy Glickman Lauder; sons William and Gary; brother Ronald; stepchildren; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren.