THE COMPANY
I KEEP
My Life in Beauty
1933
The Beginning
Leonard A. Lauder, eldest son of Joseph and Estée Lauder, is born in New York, New York on March 19.
1946
A Business is Born
In 1946, Estée and Joseph Lauder found Estée Lauder Cosmetics—the start of what would later be a successful beauty empire.
1954
Early Lessons
After attending Bronx High School of Science, Leonard goes to college and graduates from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
1956
Freedom First
After completing his studies, Leonard serves as lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.
1958
A Family in Business
Leonard officially joins Estée Lauder. He was 25 years old on his first day at the company.
1959
Young Love
Leonard marries a beautiful teacher named Evelyn Hausner, who enthusiastically joins the family business.
1960
Growing Roots
Leonard and Evelyn’s first son, William Lauder, is born in 1960. Gary Lauder, the couple’s second son, was quick to follow in 1962.
1965
Made in Melville
Leonard spearheads the groundbreaking of the company’s first manufacturing facility in Melville, New York.
1967
Caring for the Community
The Lauder family begins its first philanthropic venture, creating new, improved adventure playgrounds for children in New York City’s Central Park.
1972
The Next Generation
Leonard displays strong leadership skills and becomes President of the company.
1977
Making Art More Accessible
Leonard becomes a trustee for the Whitney Museum of Art, where he eventually served as Chairman Emeritus.
1982
A Driving Force
Leonard assumes the leadership role of Chief Executive Officer of the company in 1982.
1983
A Tribute to Education
After the passing of their father, Leonard and his brother Ronald S. Lauder found the Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in tribute to him.
1992
Tackling a New Challenge
A breast cancer survivor herself, Leonard’s wife Evelyn launches the company’s Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign and establishes the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
1998
Family Foundations
Leonard and his brother Ronald establish the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF).
2000
Expanding the Family
Long-time employee of The Estée Lauder Companies, Fred Langhammer, becomes the first non-family member to assume the role of CEO and continues his many years of partnership with Leonard, who is active in his role as Chairman.
2004
A Lasting Legacy
Estée Lauder passes away at the age of 95. Her legacy includes products and brands she invented, and developing a culture of quality, style and unsurpassed customer service.
2004
Passing of the Baton
William Lauder becomes CEO of the company, championing digital commerce, citizenship, and continuous learning.
2009
The Next Step
Fabrizio Freda becomes CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies, becoming responsible for the company’s overall vision and strategy, financial objectives, and investment priorities. William Lauder becomes Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board.
2011
A Moment to Mourn
Evelyn Lauder passes away from complications of non-genetic ovarian cancer. She was perhaps best known to the public for her work in bringing global awareness to women’s health.
2013
Making Milestones
In an effort to make art more accessible to everyone, Leonard pledges his 78 Cubist paintings, drawing and sculptures to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and has since added five major works to that promised gift. He is also one of the Whitney Museum’s most significant benefactors, giving a milestone gift to the museum’s endowment.
2015
Lightning Strikes Twice
Leonard marries Judy Ellis Glickman, a philanthropist and internationally recognized photographer.
2020
A New Chapter
Leonard publishes his memoir The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty, where he shares the business and life lessons he learned while turning the business his mother founded into a global icon.
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