Leonard Lauder
Leonard Lauder
Leonard Lauder spent three decades running his family's publicly traded cosmetics giant, Estée Lauder.
Leonard Lauder: Early Life and Education
Leonard Lauder was born on March 19, 1933, in Manhattan, New York City. He is the son of cosmetics mogul Estée Lauder and Joseph Lauder, who co-founded Estée Lauder Companies with Estée.
Lauder attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 1954. He then served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy for two years before joining his family's company.
Leonard Lauder: Career and Achievements
Lauder began working at Estée Lauder Companies in 1958, starting in the marketing department. He quickly rose through the ranks and became president of the company in 1972, succeeding his mother. Under his leadership, Estée Lauder Companies expanded globally and introduced new brands, including Clinique, Origins, and Aveda.
In addition to his work at Estée Lauder Companies, Lauder was heavily involved in philanthropy. He has been a major supporter of the Whitney Museum of American Art and was the chairman of its board from 1991 to 1994. He also founded the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, which offers joint-degree programs in international studies.
Lauder's achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the French Legion of Honor, the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship, and the Women's Project and Productions' Visionary Award.
Leonard Lauder: Personal Life and Legacy
Lauder was married to Evelyn Hausner from 1959 until her death in 2011. They had two sons, William and Gary, both of whom are involved in the family business.
As a collector of art, Lauder has also been instrumental in cultural philanthropy. He donated his collection of Cubist art, which includes works by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 2013.
Today, Lauder remains active in business and philanthropy. He serves as chairman emeritus of Estée Lauder Companies and continues to support various organizations, including the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the Aspen Institute.
Conclusion
Leonard Lauder's life and career have been marked by a dedication to both business success and philanthropy. As a leader in the cosmetics industry and a major supporter of the arts and education, his legacy will undoubtedly continue to impact the world for years to come.