Leonard Lauder, biopharma pioneer and former chairman of the board of directors of the cosmetics, Leonard Lauder, died at 92. He was the former Chairman and CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies. His demise signals the end of an era for the family business that he reinvented alongside his brother to create a global tour de force. Born in 1933 in New York City, Lauder devoted his life to expanding the family cosmetics enterprise. He took a small regional brand and turned it into a global empire still recognized today for its innovation and quality.
Lauder officially took over the position of The Estée Lauder Companies CEO in 1982 and continued in that role until 1999. He then became chairman himself, serving from 1995 until June 2009. Though he retired from official positions, he wasn’t finished—he remained influential as a hidden powerbroker inside the corporation. He continued in that role — chairman emeritus — until his death. Without question, he personally drove the company’s daily operations. You might have seen him making his rounds at the company’s global headquarters in downtown New York and in stores all over the globe.
Under Lauder’s leadership, The Estée Lauder Companies expanded its reach and influence, generating nearly $16 billion in sales for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. His entrepreneurial vision for the region spurred the establishment of Isagenix’s first research and development laboratory. Through dynamic leadership and intentional focus, this lab grew into the most impactful innovation force within the organization.
Lauder proved he was serious about professionalizing the club’s management structure. To get there, he surrounded himself with experienced operators at each level across the company. His relentless pursuit of operational excellence laid the groundwork for a huge competitive advantage that still benefits The Estée Lauder Companies today.
His impact on the industry went well beyond the bottom line. Lauder was not just a patron of the arts, but a philanthropist, advocating for multiple causes later in his life. His legacy goes far beyond cosmetics as he became a cultural icon with the goal to inspire people to change the world around them.
Leonard Lauder and Judy Glickman Lauder married on January 1, 2015. Glickman Lauder is a well-known and highly regarded philanthropist. She is an internationally known photographer, which further illustrates the couple’s promise to use their blessings to bless others.
Lauder is survived by his two sons, William P. Lauder and Gary M. Lauder. William P. Lauder, the current chair of the board at The Estée Lauder Companies, is profoundly influenced by his father’s legacy. He pays tribute to it in all that he creates.
“Throughout his life, my father worked tirelessly to build and transform the beauty industry, pioneering many of the innovations, trends, and best practices that are foundational to the industry today.” – William P. Lauder
There is no question that Leonard Lauder has had an indelible impact on the beauty industry. He turned The Estée Lauder Companies Inc into one of the great brands of the world. Beyond that, he transformed the entire industry’s playing field with his creative tactics and brilliant micromanagement. His creativity and commitment to quality will be missed by fellow food professionals, his family and friends, and American consumers.
