Leonard A. Lauder: A Life of Beauty, Business, and Giving
Leonard A. Lauder, the man behind The Estée Lauder Companies, died at 92. He was a successful businessman. But he was also a lover of art and a generous giver. He helped a lot in medical research, especially for breast cancer and Alzheimer’s.
The Estée Lauder Companies shared the news of his death. His son, William P. Lauder, said some kind words about him. “My father worked hard to change the beauty industry. He was the kindest man I knew. He believed everyone should have access to art and education. He fought against diseases like Alzheimer’s and breast cancer. He was kind to everyone he met. He thought employees were the heart of our company. They loved him. His kindness made a big difference in our company, the industry, and our family. We celebrate his amazing life.”
Early Life and Work
Leonard was born in 1933 in New York City. He was the oldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder. He went to the Bronx High School of Science and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He also studied at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. He served in the United States Navy.
Leonard led The Estée Lauder Companies for many years. He was the President from 1972 to 1995. Then, he was the Chief Executive Officer from 1982 to 1999.
The Dreamer Who Grew Estée Lauder
When Leonard joined Estée Lauder, the company made about $800,000 a year. But he had a big dream. He wanted to make Estée Lauder the “General Motors of the beauty business.” And he did it. By 2021, the company made over $16 billion a year. This was even with the problems of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Leonard’s leadership, Estée Lauder became a global beauty leader. The company has around 30 brands sold in 150 countries.
The company went public in 1995. But the Lauder family still had a lot of control. As of January 2025, they owned about 85% of the voting stock and roughly 38% of the total common stock. Leonard stayed a senior board member until the end. He saw the company grow from a family brand to a global beauty empire.
His Help in Alzheimer’s Research
Leonard Lauder was not just a business leader. He was also a big helper in philanthropy. He co-founded and chaired the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) with his brother. They did this to honor their mother, Estée Lauder, who had Alzheimer’s. He also helped start the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering with his first wife. He was an emeritus trustee at the University of Pennsylvania.
Beyond business, Leonard was one of America’s most generous art lovers and donors. He gave hundreds of millions to museums, hospitals, and research for Alzheimer’s and breast cancer.
His Impact on Alzheimer’s Research
Dr. Howard Fillit, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF, said, “Leonard Lauder was a visionary. His leadership, along with his brother Ronald, changed the Alzheimer’s research world. From the start, Leonard knew that Alzheimer’s affects not just the patient, but entire families. The Lauder family saw the emotional, financial, and societal cost of this disease. They built the ADDF to speed up the discovery and development of treatments. Leonard’s vision, generosity, and kindness touched many lives. His legacy will live on in every breakthrough we help bring forward.”
