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Who Was Estée Lauder?
Estée Lauder was a pioneering American businesswoman and beautician who revolutionized the beauty industry. She co-founded Estée Lauder Cosmetics Inc. in 1946, building her brand from the ground up with products developed by her chemist uncle. Starting with just a few skincare items, Lauder’s dedication to quality and her innovative approach to marketing helped her establish a global empire. Her breakthrough came in 1953 with the launch of Youth Dew, a bath oil that doubled as a perfume, which transformed her business and made luxury beauty accessible to everyday consumers. Known for her hands-on sales techniques and strategic use of free samples, Lauder’s entrepreneurial spirit and vision made her one of the wealthiest self-made women in history.
Early Life
Cosmetics pioneer Estée Lauder was born Josephine Esther Mentzer in Queens, New York. Her birth date is usually given as July 1, 1908, but there has been some speculation that she was actually born two years earlier in 1906. She came from a family of Jewish immigrants—her mother was Hungarian and her father was Czech.
Lauder showed her interest in beauty at an early age. She loved to brush her mother’s long hair and apply creams to her face. Through her uncle, a chemist, Lauder later learned how to make her own beauty creams. She was only a teenager when she started selling her products at local hair salons. Lauder marketed her wares as “jars of hope” and even gave out free samples.
In 1930, she married Joseph H. Lauter (later Lauder), a businessman in the garment industry. The couple welcomed their first child, son Leonard, in 1933. Not letting motherhood slow her down, Lauder continued to develop her beauty business. She divorced her husband in 1939, but the pair remarried three years later. In 1944, Lauder gave birth to the couple’s second son, Ronald.
Estée Lauder Cosmetics Inc.
After years of operating her cosmetics business, Lauder made it official in 1946 by forming the corporation that still bears her name today. She and her husband were the entire company at the time, and they offered only a handful of products. They were also making these items using the kitchen of a former restaurant. The following year, Lauder had a career breakthrough. She landed her first department store order for her cosmetics. Saks Fifth Avenue ordered $800 in her products, which sold out in two days. Lauder also originated the practice of giving a free gift with purchase marketing strategy around this time.
In 1953, Lauder launched her Youth Dew product. This bath oil also doubled as a perfume and it quickly became a big hit with consumers. The business continued to thrive over the next decade with its expansion to overseas markets and the launches of the men’s product line Aramis and the Clinique brand.
Later Career
Fueled by her remarkable drive and ambition, Estée Lauder emerged as one of the wealthiest self-made women globally. She navigated elite social circles, frequently attending events hosted by prominent figures such as Nancy Reagan. Lauder also maintained cordial relationships with notable personalities, including Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, and actress Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco.
In 1973, Lauder began to step back from the day-to-day operations of her company, resigning from her role as president while retaining the title of chairman of the board. Her eldest son, Leonard, assumed leadership of the family business. The year 1983 brought profound personal loss for Lauder with the passing of her cherished husband, Joseph. In his memory, she established the Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Lauder chronicled her journey to success and wealth in her 1985 autobiography, Estée: A Success Story. After remaining privately held for decades, her company went public in 1995, with a valuation of approximately $2 billion at that time.
In her later years, Lauder dedicated much of her time to philanthropic endeavors. She passed away in New York City on April 24, 2004. The legacy she built endures, with her family continuing to lead the company. Leonard Lauder serves as chairman emeritus of the Estée Lauder Companies, while her younger son, Ronald, is the chairman of Clinique Laboratories, LLC, and her grandson, William Lauder, holds the position of executive chairman of the Estée Lauder Companies.