Retail Beauty joins the global beauty community in mourning the passing of Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies, who died on June 14 at age 92, surrounded by family.
The eldest son of company founders Estée and Joseph Lauder, Leonard Lauder was instrumental in transforming The Estée Lauder Companies from a single-brand operation into one of the world’s most influential prestige beauty houses. Over his six-decade tenure, he spearheaded major brand launches and acquisitions—including Clinique, Aramis, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Jo Malone London, and MAC—cementing the company’s global reach and reputation for innovation.
He served as President from 1972 to 1995, CEO from 1982 to 1999, and Chairman until 2009. Even after stepping back from formal leadership, Mr. Lauder remained an active and beloved figure within the business, widely regarded as a mentor, cultural force, and the company’s “chief teaching officer.”
“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, Executive Chair of the Estée Lauder board. “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.”
President and CEO Stéphane de La Faverie added, “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.”
In addition to his business achievements, Lauder’s philanthropic contributions were immense. He supported breast cancer and Alzheimer’s research, co-founding the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and serving as Honorary Chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation—established by his late wife Evelyn H. Lauder. He also donated his world-class Cubist art collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and gave $125 million to establish a tuition-free nurse practitioner program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Lauder’s influence extended far beyond beauty. He was a US Navy veteran, an advocate for education, and a recipient of numerous accolades including the Légion d’Honneur, the Retail Hall of Fame, and the 2011 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
He is survived by his wife Judy Glickman Lauder; sons William and Gary Lauder; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his brother Ronald Lauder. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.
A private service will be held for family and friends.
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