Estée Lauder cosmetics heir dies: Dad was the most generous person I ever knew

Leonard Lauder, heir and former chairman and CEO of the global cosmetics empire Estée Lauder, died at the age of 92 in New York, according to USA Today.

Leonard Lauder, heir and former chairman and CEO of Estée Lauder, dies in New York - Photo: NINA ALEXANDRENKO / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Mr. Lauder is the son of founders Estée and Joseph Lauder. He officially joined the cosmetics company Estée Lauder in 1958, after attending Columbia University's Graduate School of Business, serving as chairman from 1972 to 1995 and CEO from 1982 to 1999.

Making Estée Lauder a global cosmetics brand

In 1995, he became chairman of the board and oversaw the launch of brands such as Aramis and Clinique, and continued to be involved in the company's acquisition strategies until his death, helping to make Estée Lauder a global cosmetics brand.

"Leonard was a wonderful brother, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague and friend," said Ronald S. Lauder, chairman of Clinique Laboratories.

"His legacy will extend far beyond his family and will be remembered for generations to come for his enduring contributions to philanthropy, social activism and innovation to address the world 's greatest challenges."

According to the Forbes 2025 billionaires list, Leonard Lauder is one of the richest people in the world with an estimated fortune of $10.1 billion.

Charitable activities with many record contributions

An alumnus of the Bronx School of Science , Mr. Lauder made many notable donations throughout his life.

In 2020, he donated $125 million to the University of Pennsylvania to create a tuition-free nursing program — the largest donation ever to a nursing school in the United States.

In 2013, he pledged his collection of 78 works of art to the Metropolitan Museum of Art—the largest private philanthropic gift in the museum's history—and later added seven more.

He also established the Leonard A. Lauder Center for the Study of Modern Art at the Met to support public scholarship, exhibitions, and workshops.

“He was the most generous person I have ever known – believing that art andeducation belong to everyone, and standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against diseases like Alzheimer’s and breast cancer.

Above all, my father was a man who always treated everyone he met with kindness," said William P. Lauder, Leonard's son and current chairman of the board of Estée Lauder.

Leonard Lauder was honorary chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an organization founded by his wife, Evelyn Lauder, in 1993, and co-founded and directed the Alzheimer's Drug Development Foundation with his brother Ronald.

DAWN

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