Leonard Lauder was also fondly called ‘lipstick salesman’. He gave a new look to the world of makeup and beauty. He was the leader of the famous Estée Lauder company. He died at the age of 92. He contributed a lot not only in business but also in the field of society and art. Let’s know about his life.
Check fast for the first news of Business & Finance on this WhatsApp channel
Early life and education
Leonard was born in New York in 1933. He was the son of Estée and Joseph Lauder, who started the Estée Lauder company in 1946.
He studied at the Bronx High School of Science and then took a business degree from the Wharton School of Pennsylvania University. After studies, he joined the US Navy and there too he gave a new look to the shop with his business understanding.
Contribution to Estée Lauder Company
In 1958, Leonard started working in the company with his mother. He took the company to great heights.
Some of his special contributions:
- Change in lipstick design (1959): He made the tip of the lipstick slanted so that it becomes easier to apply. Today this design has become common.
- Aramis: The first expensive perfume that was sold for men in department stores.
- Clinique: Its yellow moisturizer “Dramatically Different” is still very famous.
- Bought the Bobbi Brown brand (1995): This brought a new trend in the fashion world.
- The company went to the stock market (1995): The company’s IPO came, but the family kept 97.7% of the shares with themselves.
He was also the President, CEO and Chairman of the company. In 2009, he received the honor of Chairman Emeritus.
The idea of ”Lipstick Index”
In 2001, he gave the term “Lipstick Index”. He said that when there is an economic recession, women spend more on small things like lipstick so that they can feel good. This idea is now very popular in the world of beauty and economics.
Work for social service and art
Leonard also made a huge contribution in the field of social service and art:
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (2013): He donated 78 big artworks, which were worth about 1 billion dollars.
- Whitney Museum of Art (2008): He donated about 1000 crores rupees and also became Chairman Emeritus.
His colleagues said that Leonard inspired us to think big and do the best.
Personal life and legacy
His wife Evelyn and son William also remained associated with the company. Bobby Brown described him as a very inspiring and creative person.
Leonard Lauder’s legacy is not only that of a businessman, but also of a social worker, artist and visionary leader. He dreamed of making the world beautiful and also made it come true.
Check fast for the first news of Business & Finance on this WhatsApp channel
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who was Leonard Lauder?
- He was the leader of the Estée Lauder company and took the beauty industry to new heights.
- What is the Lipstick Index?
- It is an idea that shows that even in recession, women do not stop buying small beauty items like lipstick.
- What changes did he make in the beauty industry?
- Redesigning lipstick, starting several new brands and making the company international.
- What was his contribution in the field of art?
- He donated artworks worth billions and supported museums.
- When did he die?
- Leonard Lauder died in 2025 at the age of 92.
Also Read:
Swara Bhaskar’s net worth: Owner of crores, charges such a huge amount for a film
Tilak Varma Net Worth: Earnings in crores from cricket and journey to a luxurious lifestyle
