Leonard Lauder– Chairman Emeritus of the Estee Lauder companies and a big name within the cosmetics industries– has passed away at the age of 92 on Saturday June 14th as confirmed by a statement from the company. Leonard Lauder, a dignitary in the cosmetics field was a visionary and a philanthropist.
Know About Leonard Lauder
Mr. Lauder was born in 1933 in New York City, as the eldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, who founded the Estee Lauder company in 1946. He graduated from Bronx High School of Science and completed his higher education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and completed his MBA from the Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business before serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy which earned him the Navy Supply Corps Foundation’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
In 1959 Leonard married Evelyn Hausner. They had 2 sons, William and Gary Lauder. William P. Lauder is the current Executive CEO of Estee Launder Company and Gary M. Lauder is the managing director of Lauder Partners LLC. In 2011, Evelyn Lauder passed away after succumbing to ovarian cancer. After her death Leonard married Judy Ellis Glickman, a photographer and an old time friend.
The Family Business
In 1958, at the age of 25, Leonard officially joined the family enterprise, where he grew the company for over six decades and transformed it to one of the leading beauty brands of the century. Under him the Estee Lauder Company acquired 20 beauty brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Tom Ford, La Mer. Leonard served as the President of Estee Lauder from 1972 to 1995 and also served as the Chief Executive Officer from 1982 to 1999 and then the Chairman from 1995 to 2009. Under his stewardship, Estée Lauder introduced critical innovations. He spearheaded the creation of the company’s first R&D laboratory and initiated aggressive international expansion that began in the early 1960s, including its first counter at Harrods in London. He led the 1995 IPO, transforming it into a publicly traded global empire
Building a Beauty Empire
Lauder’s legacy is closely tied to many iconic brands. He personally oversaw the acquisition and launches of international powerhouses like MAC, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Clinique, La Mer, Origins, Aramis, Lab Series, among others. He also coined the famous “Lipstick Index,” illustrating his sharp understanding of consumer behavior during economic turbulence. By the end of his tenure, the company’s annual revenues had surged to approximately $15 billion, ranking it among the world’s beauty leaders. Leonard Lauder was the “driving force” behind Estée Lauder’s expansion into Europe and Asia, transforming the company from a domestic brand into a global powerhouse. He created the company’s first research and development laboratory, which fueled innovation which allowed the brand to compete in diverse international markets. Lauder brought in professional management at various levels which ensured that the company would scale efficiently and also expand internationally. His philosophy of supporting and partnering with small retail stores in each and every market helped the company build strong relationships that fueled global growth.
Philanthropy & Passion for the Arts
Leonard’s influence was not only limited to business he was a philanthropist, best known for founding Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) in 1998 along with his brother Ronald in memory of their mother Estee Lauder’s battle with the disease. ADDF played a crucial role in developing key Alzheimer’s diagnostics such as Amyvid and also in advancing prescription medication and prevention strategies for the diseases.
Along with this Lauder also established the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) with his wife Evelyn Lauder and Dr. Larry Norton in 1993. The foundation is solely dedicated to breast cancer research. Under his and Evelyn Launder’s guidance, BCRF funded groundbreaking research and has supported scientists all around the world.
Launder was also a celebrated art enthusiast, he was renowned for his world-class collection of Cubist art which featured artists like Picasso, Braque, Gris and Leger. In 1971 he joined the acquisition board of the Whitney Museum of American Art and in 1977 he became a trustee there. He has donated both money and art pieces to the museum and was a long time patron there. He was a longtime supporter of the Metropolitan Art Museum and promised to donate more than 80 of the cubist art works he owned, which valued at almost $ 1 billion.
A Leader Remembered
Leonard will be remembered as a visionary, who led a home grown brand and made it into a global luxury brand that it is today, a generous philanthropist and a great patron of art. His influence shaped perceptions, lives and influenced beauty businesses all over the world. His leadership saw the company expand from $ 1 million in sales to $ 15 billion with operations in more than 150 countries.
Memorial & Legacy
In a statement by the Estee Lauder and Companies Mr Gary Lauder talks about his father and says “My father was a remarkable man, a leader in business, a devoted philanthropist, and a deeply loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. 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.”
As shared by the Estee Lauder Companies, the memorial service will be a private event that will only be attended by family and friends of the deceased. The family urges the people to send donations in lieu of flowers to Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation in the memory of Leonard Lauder.
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