Leonard Lauder, the former Estée Lauder CEO and the eldest son of brand founders Estée and Joseph Lauder, has died at age 92.
His death was confirmed by Estée Lauder Companies on June 15, stating he passed away “surrounded by family” on Saturday, June 14. His passing marks the end of a monumental chapter in beauty, business, philanthropy, and modern art.
Leonard Lauder’s death has left the global cosmetics world mourning the loss of one of its greatest pioneers. A visionary, fearless leader, and an industry legend, Leonard took a homegrown skincare business, started by his mother in a New York City kitchen in the 1930s, and helped transform it into the beauty giant Estée Lauder is today. He officially joined the company in 1958, after serving in the U.S. Navy beginning in 1956, and remained deeply involved for over five decades.
From 1972 to 1995, he served as president of Estée Lauder. He became CEO in 1982, a position he held until 1999, and later served as chairman until 2009, eventually taking on the role of chairman emeritus. He even referred to himself as the company’s “Chief Teaching Officer,” mentoring executives and shaping brand culture. Under his leadership, Estée Lauder went global and acquired powerhouse beauty labels like MAC, Bobbi Brown, and Aveda, and built the company’s first research and development lab.
Born in 1933 in New York City, Leonard was raised in a household steeped in beauty and hustle. His mother, born Josephine Esther Mentzer, began experimenting with creams and skincare formulas on the stove while customers visited their apartment for facials. Estée changed both her and her husband’s last name from Lauter to Lauder to create a stronger brand image, helping set the tone for what would become one of the most iconic beauty names in the world.
Leonard graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, later marrying Evelyn Hausner in 1959. Evelyn went on to become a senior corporate vice president at Estée Lauder and launched Clinique, one of the company’s most successful lines. She also co-created the globally recognized pink ribbon symbol for breast cancer awareness, a cause both she and Leonard supported passionately.
Together, they helped launch the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Their philanthropic work didn’t stop there, Leonard and his brother Ronald Lauder also co-founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation in 1998, which has since awarded more than $209 million in research grants across 19 countries.
Leonard was also one of the art world’s most influential collectors. His passion started with vintage postcards and evolved into a love for Cubism and modern art. He donated some of his vast collection to institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Newberry Library. In a landmark philanthropic act, he gifted 81 pieces of Cubist art, including works by Picasso, Braque, and Gris, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013. The New York Times called it “a sterling act of philanthropy.” He also held leadership roles at the Whitney Museum of American Art as both president and chairman.
After Evelyn’s death in 2011, Leonard married Judy Ellis Glickman in 2015. Both had lost their spouses after decades of marriage and found love again later in life. Reflecting on his life, Leonard said in 2020, “I can’t think of anything that I really regret… You can always keep trying to do better. But do I regret anything? Not a bit. Onward!”
As of December 2024, Leonard’s net worth was estimated at $10.8 billion by Forbes, placing him among the world’s richest individuals. But to those closest to him, his legacy isn’t about the fortune, it’s about his values, vision, and generosity.
Leonard is survived by his sons William and Gary Lauder, his brother Ronald, and his wife Judy. William honored his father’s legacy by saying, “He was the most charitable man I have ever known… Above all, my father was a man who practiced kindness with everyone he met.” Gary added, “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.”
Leonard Lauder’s death is more than the loss of a corporate giant. It’s the passing of someone who shaped how we think about beauty, business, and giving back. His legacy will live on, not only in every Estée Lauder product but also in art galleries, hospitals, and foundations around the world.
