Leonard Lauder, veteran leader and visionary behind Estée Lauder Companies, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025, at the age of 92 . Surrounded by family, Lauder leaves behind a monumental legacy in beauty, philanthropy, and the arts.
Born in New York City in 1933 to Estée and Joseph Lauder, Leonard joined the family business in 1958, after graduating from Wharton and serving as a U.S. Navy lieutenant . Rising through the ranks, he served as company president (1972–1995), CEO (1982–1999), and later Chairman and Chairman Emeritus, guiding the company to global prominence.
Under his direction, Estée Lauder became a major international name. Leonard led expansions into new markets and established the company’s first R&D lab, and spearheaded strategic acquisitions such as MAC, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Aveda, Aramis, and Lab Series. The brand went public in 1995, and under his leadership, annual revenues soared to around USD 15 billion .
Beyond business, Lauder was deeply invested in arts and charity. A devoted art collector, he donated over USD 1 billion in art to institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum. With his late wife Evelyn—known for creating the pink ribbon in breast cancer awareness—he co-founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and together with his brother, Ronald, co-founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.
A model of kindness, integrity, and generosity, Leonard Lauder’s vision transformed Estée Lauder into a global powerhouse, revolutionizing the beauty landscape of the world. His legacy will continue to influence industries and institutions around the world.
