‘He always thought big’: Beauty mogul behind Estée Lauder has died at 92—his legacy still inspires
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The beauty world has lost one of its most influential figures, whose impact spanned decades and reshaped a family business into a global empire.
His journey—from humble beginnings to building an international powerhouse—is filled with ambition, legacy, and surprising turns.
Here’s how one man helped change the face of an entire industry.
The world of beauty and business has bid farewell to a legendary figure whose influence stretched far beyond the cosmetics counters.
Leonard Lauder, who helmed Estée Lauder for nearly two decades, left behind more than just a multi-billion-dollar brand—his story was one of family legacy, innovation, and philanthropy. But even amid glamorous events and high-society connections, his life carried unexpected twists and poignant turns.
Lauder passed away on Saturday at the age of 92, with the company confirming the news but not revealing a cause of death.
As the eldest son of Estée and Joseph Lauder, Leonard was born into a family destined for the spotlight. His mother, the daughter of Hungarian Jewish immigrants, founded Estée Lauder in 1946 and nurtured the brand through decades of expansion. Leonard joined the company in 1958 at age 25, following his graduation from Columbia University’s School of Business and three years as a US Navy officer.
‘With brave American troops in harm's way in Afghanistan and Iraq, my years of military service seem comparatively uneventful,’ he once wrote in a 2010 newsletter. ‘Yet, for me, they were defining.’
It was this discipline and vision that would shape his career. By 1982, he had taken on the role of chief executive, a position he held until 1999. He remained chairman until 2009.
Under his leadership, Estée Lauder transformed from a family firm into a global beauty powerhouse. Lauder spearheaded acquisitions of brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown and Aveda in the 1980s and 1990s, and broadened the company’s reach across Europe, Asia and beyond. He also launched its research and development labs, ensuring the brand stayed at the forefront of innovation.
His net worth, estimated in September 2021, sat at $32.3 billion—making him the 44th richest person in the world at the time.
Despite the company’s public listing, the Lauder family maintained 86 per cent of voting rights and held 38 per cent of its shares. Today, Estée Lauder boasts more than two dozen brands and over $15 billion in annual sales.
Leonard’s influence didn’t stop at boardrooms and beauty counters. He was an avid patron of the arts, famously donating 78 cubist masterpieces—including works by Picasso, Braque and Gris—to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013. The collection, valued at $1 billion, was among the most significant gifts in the museum’s history.
His private collection was no less extraordinary. Tucked away in his Manhattan Upper East Side home was a personal archive of 120,000 postcards, spanning decades of his life—set to be donated to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
He also played a part in an unexpected chapter of political history. It was at a luncheon hosted by Lauder in New York City where Donald Trump first met Soviet Ambassador Yuri Dubinin, sparking the former president’s early ties to Moscow.
Philanthropy featured heavily throughout his life. He sat on the boards of various medical charities, contributed significantly to cancer research, and in 2022 pledged $125 million to the University of Pennsylvania to establish a tuition-free nurse practitioner program.
The Lauder name was also prominent at major charitable events. Leonard was seen attending the Breast Cancer Foundation’s Hot Pink Party alongside Elizabeth Hurley, Sir Elton John and Shane Warne, and later served as gala co-chair for An Unforgettable Evening hosted by The Women’s Cancer Research Fund.
His personal life reflected both enduring love and second chances. Leonard married Evelyn Hausner in 1959, and they remained together until her passing in 2011. Two years later, he became engaged to Brooklyn Public Library’s chief executive, Linda Johnson, though the wedding was eventually called off. In 2015, he married Judy Ellis-Glickman, widow of a close friend.
Leonard’s deep commitment to family was evident not only in business but in how he was remembered. Estée Lauder once wrote in her 1985 biography: ‘My son always thought big. He worked every summer, every free moment.’
‘Comb your hair,’ she would remind him, always introducing him first as her son before mentioning his role in the company.
Leonard was survived by his sons William and Gary, as well as his brother Ronald. William, who served as Estée Lauder’s chief executive from 2004 to 2009, continued on as chairman, while Gary joined the board in 2023. Ronald, now 81, once served as US Ambassador to Austria and made an unsuccessful bid for New York City mayor in 1988.
Though Leonard Lauder is gone, the empire he helped build—and the legacy he crafted across art, philanthropy and business—will continue to shape the world he so profoundly influenced.
Leonard Lauder didn’t just build a business—he honoured a legacy and turned it into something extraordinary.
If you’ve ever admired how family values can shape lasting success, you’ll want to see this.
Source: Youtube/CBS Sunday Morning
Leonard Lauder’s life was a remarkable blend of business brilliance, family devotion, and generous philanthropy.
His legacy, much like the brand he helped shape, is sure to endure for generations to come.
May he rest in peace.
In a world where iconic figures leave lasting impressions, Leonard Lauder’s legacy is a reminder of how deeply one person can shape an industry—and touch lives far beyond it.
That same sense of admiration and reflection has recently surfaced as fans paid tribute to another unforgettable name in entertainment.
If you followed their career or simply enjoy a trip down memory lane, you might find this story just as moving.
Read more: Fans pay homage to funk music legend (82) or Xena: Warrior Princess star (61)
His journey—from humble beginnings to building an international powerhouse—is filled with ambition, legacy, and surprising turns.
Here’s how one man helped change the face of an entire industry.
The world of beauty and business has bid farewell to a legendary figure whose influence stretched far beyond the cosmetics counters.
Leonard Lauder, who helmed Estée Lauder for nearly two decades, left behind more than just a multi-billion-dollar brand—his story was one of family legacy, innovation, and philanthropy. But even amid glamorous events and high-society connections, his life carried unexpected twists and poignant turns.
Lauder passed away on Saturday at the age of 92, with the company confirming the news but not revealing a cause of death.
Beauty industry giant dies aged 92. Image source: Instagram/esteelaudercompanies
As the eldest son of Estée and Joseph Lauder, Leonard was born into a family destined for the spotlight. His mother, the daughter of Hungarian Jewish immigrants, founded Estée Lauder in 1946 and nurtured the brand through decades of expansion. Leonard joined the company in 1958 at age 25, following his graduation from Columbia University’s School of Business and three years as a US Navy officer.
‘With brave American troops in harm's way in Afghanistan and Iraq, my years of military service seem comparatively uneventful,’ he once wrote in a 2010 newsletter. ‘Yet, for me, they were defining.’
It was this discipline and vision that would shape his career. By 1982, he had taken on the role of chief executive, a position he held until 1999. He remained chairman until 2009.
Under his leadership, Estée Lauder transformed from a family firm into a global beauty powerhouse. Lauder spearheaded acquisitions of brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown and Aveda in the 1980s and 1990s, and broadened the company’s reach across Europe, Asia and beyond. He also launched its research and development labs, ensuring the brand stayed at the forefront of innovation.
His net worth, estimated in September 2021, sat at $32.3 billion—making him the 44th richest person in the world at the time.
Despite the company’s public listing, the Lauder family maintained 86 per cent of voting rights and held 38 per cent of its shares. Today, Estée Lauder boasts more than two dozen brands and over $15 billion in annual sales.
Leonard’s influence didn’t stop at boardrooms and beauty counters. He was an avid patron of the arts, famously donating 78 cubist masterpieces—including works by Picasso, Braque and Gris—to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013. The collection, valued at $1 billion, was among the most significant gifts in the museum’s history.
His private collection was no less extraordinary. Tucked away in his Manhattan Upper East Side home was a personal archive of 120,000 postcards, spanning decades of his life—set to be donated to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
He also played a part in an unexpected chapter of political history. It was at a luncheon hosted by Lauder in New York City where Donald Trump first met Soviet Ambassador Yuri Dubinin, sparking the former president’s early ties to Moscow.
Philanthropy featured heavily throughout his life. He sat on the boards of various medical charities, contributed significantly to cancer research, and in 2022 pledged $125 million to the University of Pennsylvania to establish a tuition-free nurse practitioner program.
The Lauder name was also prominent at major charitable events. Leonard was seen attending the Breast Cancer Foundation’s Hot Pink Party alongside Elizabeth Hurley, Sir Elton John and Shane Warne, and later served as gala co-chair for An Unforgettable Evening hosted by The Women’s Cancer Research Fund.
His personal life reflected both enduring love and second chances. Leonard married Evelyn Hausner in 1959, and they remained together until her passing in 2011. Two years later, he became engaged to Brooklyn Public Library’s chief executive, Linda Johnson, though the wedding was eventually called off. In 2015, he married Judy Ellis-Glickman, widow of a close friend.
Leonard’s deep commitment to family was evident not only in business but in how he was remembered. Estée Lauder once wrote in her 1985 biography: ‘My son always thought big. He worked every summer, every free moment.’
‘Comb your hair,’ she would remind him, always introducing him first as her son before mentioning his role in the company.
Leonard was survived by his sons William and Gary, as well as his brother Ronald. William, who served as Estée Lauder’s chief executive from 2004 to 2009, continued on as chairman, while Gary joined the board in 2023. Ronald, now 81, once served as US Ambassador to Austria and made an unsuccessful bid for New York City mayor in 1988.
Though Leonard Lauder is gone, the empire he helped build—and the legacy he crafted across art, philanthropy and business—will continue to shape the world he so profoundly influenced.
Leonard Lauder didn’t just build a business—he honoured a legacy and turned it into something extraordinary.
If you’ve ever admired how family values can shape lasting success, you’ll want to see this.
Source: Youtube/CBS Sunday Morning
Leonard Lauder’s life was a remarkable blend of business brilliance, family devotion, and generous philanthropy.
His legacy, much like the brand he helped shape, is sure to endure for generations to come.
May he rest in peace.
In a world where iconic figures leave lasting impressions, Leonard Lauder’s legacy is a reminder of how deeply one person can shape an industry—and touch lives far beyond it.
That same sense of admiration and reflection has recently surfaced as fans paid tribute to another unforgettable name in entertainment.
If you followed their career or simply enjoy a trip down memory lane, you might find this story just as moving.
Read more: Fans pay homage to funk music legend (82) or Xena: Warrior Princess star (61)
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