THE COMPANY
I KEEP
My Life in Beauty
About the Author
Leonard Lauder (1933 - 2025) was born in New York City, where he grew up and helped his mother as she founded what would become The Estée Lauder Companies business in 1946.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Lauder officially joined the company in 1958 and focused on building its research and development laboratory and helping to grow the business.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Lauder was Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies. Until 2023, he served on the company’s board. Over his six decades of leadership, he transformed the company from a brand with eight products in one country, to a multi-branded and beloved global icon.
About the Book
In his memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty, Chairman Emeritus and former CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies Leonard A. Lauder shares the business and life lessons he learned as well as the adventures he had while helping transform the business his mother founded in 1946 in the family kitchen into the beloved brand and global prestige beauty company it is today.
In its infancy in the 1940s and 50s, the company comprised a handful of products, sold under a single brand in just a few prestigious department stores across the United States. Today, The Estée Lauder Companies constitutes one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of prestige skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. The well-diversified portfolio of distinctive brands across four product categories is sold in approximately 150 countries and territories. This growth and success was led by Leonard Lauder, Estée Lauder’s oldest son, who envisioned and effected this expansion during more than six decades of leadership, including leading the company as CEO and Chairman.
In this captivating personal account, complete with great stories as only he can tell them, Mr. Lauder, who became known as The Estée Lauder Companies’ “Chief Teaching Officer,” reflects on his childhood, growing up during the Great Depression, the vibrant decades of the post-World War II boom, and his work growing the company into the beauty powerhouse it is today. Mr. Lauder pays loving tribute to his mother, Estée Lauder, its eponymous founder, and to the employees of the company both past and present. He also shares inside stories about the company, including tales of a rivalry with Charles Revson of Revlon and others. The book offers keen insights on honing ambition, leveraging success, learning from mistakes, and growing an international company in an age of economic turbulence, uncertainty, and fierce competition.
All author proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to charity.
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My Journey
In the News
Jun 18, 2025
Leonard Lauder, a Consummate New Yorker
Lauder, who died last week, was an executive, a philanthropist and an art collector. He was also a devoted advocate for New York City.
Jun 17, 2025
LAL’s Family, Friends and Colleagues on the Executive’s Lasting Impact
William P. Lauder, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael Kors and more share their lasting memories and key lessons learned from the legendary cosmetics executive.
Jun 15, 2025
Leonard Lauder, a Powerhouse in the Beauty World, Dies at 92
Leonard A. Lauder—a powerhouse executive within the beauty world, and the Chairman Emeritus of Estée Lauder Companies—has died at 92.
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