Leonard Lauder, renowned cosmetics industry executive and heir to The Estée Lauder Companies, has died, his family announced in a statement. The billionaire left behind a legacy of innovation, generosity, and service. Here’s everything we know about his passing.
What did Leonard Lauder die of?
As of now, the family has not disclosed the cause of death. Lauder passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at his residence on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. However, it is believed that he may have died of natural causes due to his advanced age.
How old was Leonard Lauder?
At the time of his death, Leonard Lauder was 92 years old.
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What was Leonard Lauder’s net worth?
Leonard Lauder’s net worth was estimated at $15 billion. The businessman and philanthropist transformed The Estée Lauder Companies into a global powerhouse. Under his leadership, the company expanded into Europe and Asia, acquired major brands such as MAC and La Mer, and went public in 1995. By the time of his death, the company was generating over $15 billion in annual revenue.
Who was Leonard Lauder?
Born in 1933 in New York City, Leonard Lauder was the eldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, founders of The Estée Lauder Companies. His academic background was both strong and diverse: he attended the Bronx High School of Science, graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and studied at Columbia Business School. He also served as a U.S. Navy officer, reaching the rank of lieutenant, and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for his service.
Leonard officially joined the family business in 1958. Over the course of more than six decades, he helped turn a small cosmetics brand into a global beauty empire. He served as the company’s president from 1972 to 1995 and as CEO from 1982 to 1999. His leadership fueled international expansion, professionalized the company’s internal management, and established its first R&D laboratory. He was instrumental in launching iconic brands such as Clinique, Aramis, and Lab Series, and led key acquisitions including La Mer, Bobbi Brown, and M∙A∙C.
Even after stepping down from executive roles, he remained closely involved as chairman emeritus. Known for his warmth and generosity, he treated colleagues like family and proudly embraced his unofficial role as company mentor. During the pandemic, he played a pivotal role in creating the ELC Cares Fund to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of employees.
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Beyond business, Leonard was deeply passionate about art and philanthropy. He championed public access to the arts and, in 2013, donated his collection of 78 Cubist works to The Metropolitan Museum of Art—the largest individual gift in the museum’s history—along with founding a research center for modern art there. He also had strong ties to the Whitney Museum and other cultural institutions.
In the medical field, he supported breast cancer research in honor of his late wife Evelyn H. Lauder, and co-founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation with his brother Ronald. In education, he made significant contributions to institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and supported public schools in New York. In 2020, he donated $125 million to establish a tuition-free program to train nurse practitioners in underserved communities.
Leonard also devoted time to public service. He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, served on the board of the Aspen Institute, and advised the U.S. government on trade policy during the 1980s. Over his lifetime, he received numerous national and international honors for his business leadership and social impact.
On a personal note, he married Evelyn H. Lauder in 1959, with whom he had two sons. After her passing, he married Judy Glickman Lauder in 2015.
