Leonard Lauder, Navy Veteran, Philanthropist and Business Visionary, Passes Away at Age 92

Leonard Lauder, the influential entrepreneur and philanthropist who transformed his family's cosmetics venture into a global beauty powerhouse, died on Saturday at the age of 92. The Estée Lauder Companies confirmed his passing on Sunday, noting that he surrounded his family during that moment.

Leonard, the eldest son of Estée and Joseph Lauder, joined the company in 1958 and dedicated over sixty years to shaping its development. Under his leadership, Estée Lauder transformed from a single-brand U.S. operation into a multi-brand global powerhouse, with products now available in approximately 150 countries. At the time of his passing, he was recognized as the chairman emeritus.

From 1972 to 1995, Lauder held the position of president and served as CEO from 1982 to 1999, significantly influencing the company's global growth, innovation efforts, and strategic purchases. Under his leadership, brands such as Clinique, Aramis, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, MAC, and Jo Malone London were either launched or acquired. He remained engaged in business operations and strategy until the end.

A Navy veteran, Lauder completed his education at the Bronx High School of Science and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, subsequently pursuing further studies at Columbia Business School. He held the position of a Navy lieutenant and reservist, receiving recognition from the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Lauder's charitable influence was notably significant. A dedicated supporter of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he contributed a significant 78-piece Cubist collection in 2013, subsequently enhancing it with five major works. He played an essential role in founding the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He held the position of chairman emeritus at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Lauder was wed to Evelyn H. Lauder, who established the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, until she died in 2011. In 2015, he married Judy Glickman Lauder, a photographer and philanthropist known for her work.

He leaves behind his wife, two sons, William and Gary, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his brother, Ronald Lauder.

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