Leonard Lauder, philanthropist who globalized family cosmetic business, dies at age 92
June 16, 2025
Leonard Lauder, a renowned philanthropist who expanded the family cosmetics business into a worldwide empire, has died at the age of 92. Estee Lauders Cos. announced the news in a release on Sunday and said he died on Saturday surrounded by his family. Lauder, the oldest son of Estee and Joseph H. Lauder who founded the cosmetics company in 1946, formally joined the New York company in 1958. Over more than six decades, Lauder played a key role in transforming the business from a handful of products sold under a single brand in U.S. stores to a multi-brand global cosmetics and fragrance giant. He had held the title of chairman emeritus at the time of his death.
