Written on: June 16, 2025 by SprayTM
The Estée Lauder Cos. (ELC) announced that Chairman Emeritus Leonard Lauder passed away on June 14, at the age of 92, surrounded by family.
LAUDER
Born in 1933 in New York City, Lauder was the oldest son of ELC founders Estée and Joseph H. Lauder. 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. He also studied at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. 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. He formally joined Estée Lauder in 1958, and for more than six decades, Lauder helped transform the business from a handful of products sold under a single brand in U.S. stores to a multi-brand prestige beauty corporation, the firm said in a statement.
“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 his son William Lauder, 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,” Lauder continued.
Lauder served as ELC President from 1972-1995 and as CEO from 1982-1999. He was named Chairman in 1995 and held that role through June 2009. Throughout his tenure, Lauder created the company’s first R&D laboratory and was the driving force behind ELC’s international expansion.
Speaking for The Estée Lauder Companies, President & CEO 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,” concluded de La Faverie.
Lauder was deeply involved in medical research, education, art, foreign policy and philanthropy. He 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 founded by his late wife, Evelyn Lauder, in 1993. He also co-founded and led the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation with his brother, Ronald Lauder, and remained active with both organizations until his death.
Lauder was married to Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate VP at ELC, from 1959 until she passed away in 2011. In 2015, he married photographer Judy Glickman Lauder. In addition to his wife, Lauder is survived by his sons William and Gary (Laura), five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, many stepchildren and step-grandchildren, as well as his brother, Ronald (Jo Carole), and nieces Aerin Lauder and Jane Lauder.
A private service will be held for friends and family. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. To share condolences, visit https://www.elcompanies.com/en/condolences.
