The Estée Lauder Deeply Mourns the Death of Evelyn H. Lauder

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) on November 12th announced the passing of Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President and Head of Fragrance Development Worldwide, at the age of 75 from complications of non-genetic ovarian cancer. Mrs. Lauder died on November 12, at her home in New York City with her family by her side.

She is survived by her beloved family: husband Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of the Estée Lauder Companies; son William, Executive Chairman of the Estée Lauder Companies; son Gary, Managing Director of Lauder Partners LLC, and his wife Laura, General Partner of Lauder Partners; and five grandchildren.

"My mother carried the torch of our Company heritage and the values that were passed to her by my grandmother, Mrs. Estée Lauder," said William Lauder. "My mother and father were life partners as well as business partners. They nurtured the culture and growth of the Estée Lauder Companies, and as we grew, my mother was our creative compass and pillar of strength. Together my family and the Company celebrate the beautiful person she was."

Speaking for the Company, President and Chief Executive Officer Fabrizio Freda said, “Evelyn embodied the heart and soul of the Estée Lauder Companies. She was one of the pivotal architects of our vision, values, and culture. She was dynamic, creative, smart, endearingly warm generous, and incredibly gifted at connecting with people. Her enthusiasm was contagious.”

Mrs. Lauder’s life is a remarkable American success story. Born in Vienna, Austria, her parents fled from Europe with her during the Nazi occupation, eventually settling in New York City. Asleep when the ship bringing them to the United States arrived in New York Harbor, her mother woke her up to see the Statue of Liberty. Mrs. Lauder would remember, and be inspired by, that symbol of hope for the rest of her life.

She was very proud of having attended and graduated from New York City public schools and from Hunter College, part of the City University of New York. After receiving her college degree, she was a public school teacher in New York City for several years.

Joseph Lauder, owners of a small family cosmetics company, and they married in 1959. That same year she joined the family business. She had many roles then, including serving as New Product Director and as Marketing Director. Her teaching background was an excellent springboard for one of her earliest contributions, the creation of the Company’s brand training programs. She also measured color standards in makeup, sold products in stores, and made numerous personal appearances.

Mrs. Lauder was an avid photographer, and her work is represented in many public and private collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, as well as leading medical facilities in the United States and abroad.

In October 2002, Harry Abrams, Inc. published An Eye for Beauty, Mrs. Lauder’s second collection of photographs. Her first book of photographs, also from Abrams, The Seasons Observed, was published in September 1994. In September 2011 her works were on display at the Gagosian Gallery in London. Her third book, In Great Taste: Fresh, Simple Recipes for Eating and Living Well, was published in 2006.

A visionary, true leader, and dear friend, Mrs. Lauder will be forever missed by everyone at the Estée Lauder Companies.