Estée Lauder chairman emeritus Leonard Lauder passes away at 91

Leonard A. Lauder, the longtime Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies and a transformative force in the beauty industry, has died at age 91, the company confirmed.

Born in 1933 in New York City, Lauder was the eldest son of company founders Estée and Joseph Lauder. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he officially joined the family business in 1958, eventually leading the company to global prominence. Under his leadership, Estée Lauder expanded from a single-brand operation into a prestige beauty empire with multiple global labels, including Clinique, M∙A∙C, Jo Malone London, and La Mer.

From 1972 to 1999, Lauder served as president and CEO, championing innovation, international growth, and professionalization within the company. He remained actively involved in company operations well into his later years, mentoring employees and shaping acquisition strategies.

“He was the most charitable man I have ever known,” said his son, William P. Lauder, the current Board Chair, noting his father’s commitment to philanthropy, art, education, and healthcare.

Leonard Lauder was known not only for his business acumen but also for his extensive philanthropic work. He donated his Cubist art collection—one of the world’s finest—to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, co-founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, and supported the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which was started by his late wife Evelyn H. Lauder. In 2021, he donated $125 million to establish a tuition-free nursing program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Lauder was also a prolific supporter of cultural and educational institutions, including the Met, the Whitney Museum, and the University of Pennsylvania, and he received numerous accolades throughout his life, including the Légion d’Honneur from France and the Retail Hall of Fame induction in 2020.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Glickman Lauder; his sons William and Gary; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his brother Ronald S. Lauder; and extended family. A private service will be held, and donations in his memory may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.