Estée Lauder
Born 1908 · Age 117
American businesswoman and co-founder of The Estée Lauder Companies; pioneer in cosmetics marketing and prestige beauty brand-building.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth - Josephine Esther Mentzer
Born Josephine Esther Mentzer in Corona, Queens, New York to Hungarian Jewish mother Rose and Czech-Jewish father Max Mentzer.
Began selling uncle's creams in salons
As a teenager she learned formulations from her chemist uncle (Dr. John Schotz) and began demonstrating and selling creams at local hair salons and beauty shops.
Graduated Newtown High School (Queens)
Completed secondary education at Newtown High School in Elmhurst, Queens; then turned focus to working with her uncle on beauty formulations.
Married Joseph Lauter (Lauder)
Married Joseph Lauter (later spelled Lauder), who later worked with her running finance/operations as the business grew.
Birth of son Leonard Lauder
First child Leonard Lauder born; Leonard later became president and chairman of the company.
Separation and Divorce from Joseph Lauder
Estée and Joseph separated and divorced in 1939; she moved to Florida for a period.
Remarried Joseph Lauder
Estée and Joseph remarried in 1942; they continued to build the business together thereafter.
Birth of son Ronald Lauder
Second son Ronald Lauder born (later held government posts and company roles).
Founded Estée Lauder Cosmetics (official formation)
Formal founding of Estée Lauder Cosmetics Inc.; the company began with a small range of creams and cosmetics made in a former restaurant kitchen.
First-year sales (company)
Company grossed approximately $50,000 in its first year of operation.
First major department store order — Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue placed an early order for Estée Lauder products, reported at $800 (sold out in two days); key early distribution breakthrough.
Originated 'gift with purchase' promotion
Popularized the 'free gift with purchase' promotional strategy while selling in department stores and salons — a practice that became industry standard.
Corporate weekly sales boosted after Youth-Dew
Estée reported corporate sales increasing to about $5,000 per week following Youth-Dew's success (circa early/mid-1950s).
Late 1950s revenue milestone ~ $800,000/yr
By the late 1950s, the company was reportedly grossing about $800,000 annually.
Launched Youth-Dew bath oil/perfume
Introduced Youth-Dew, a bath oil that doubled as a perfume, which revolutionized fragrance usage and mass consumer behavior.
Youth-Dew first-year unit sales
Youth-Dew sold approximately 50,000 bottles in its first year, fueling rapid company growth.
Introduced Re-Nutriv premium product
Released Re-Nutriv, a luxury face cream composed of many rare ingredients, priced at $115 per jar (extraordinarily high at the time).
First overseas account — Harrods (London)
Expanded internationally with first department store account in London at Harrods, beginning the brand's global expansion.
Started national advertising and brand model strategy
Company began advertising (around 1962) and pioneered using a single model in campaigns — creating the 'Estée Lauder woman' and 'beauty contracts'.
Launched Aramis (men's fragrance)
Introduced Aramis, the company's first prestige men's fragrance sold in department stores, targeting male grooming market.
Introduced 24kt gold-plated refillable compact
Released a luxury 24kt gold-plated alligator refillable compact; became a collectible and brand luxury statement.
Founded Clinique with Dr. Norman Orentreich
Launched Clinique, an allergy-tested, 100% fragrance-free brand developed with dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich.
Moved headquarters to GM Building, 767 Fifth Avenue
Company moved its headquarters to the GM Building overlooking Central Park, preserving Estée's original office there.
First exclusive 'Estée Lauder woman' model contract (Karen Graham)
Karen Graham became the first model to sign an exclusive beauty contract with Estée Lauder, formalizing the 'Estée Lauder woman' campaign approach.
Leonard Lauder named company president
Estée reduced day-to-day management as her eldest son Leonard became president; she remained public face and guiding force.
Received Crystal Apple from Association for a Better New York
Honored with the Crystal Apple award for civic and cultural contributions in New York.
Awarded Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honour (France)
Received the Chevalier class of the French Legion of Honour; reported as the first woman to receive this honor (from Consul General Gerard Causer).
Received Gold Medal of the City of Paris
Honored with the Gold Medal of the City of Paris for cultural/civic contributions.
Launched Advanced Night Repair serum
Introduced 'Night Repair', the first-ever U.S. facial serum from the company; became a long-running bestselling anti-aging product.
Leonard Lauder became CEO
Leonard Lauder ascended to chief executive officer, further transitioning daily operations from Estée to the next generation.
Death of husband Joseph Lauder
Joseph Lauder died in 1983. In his memory, their sons later established the Joseph H. Lauder Institute at UPenn.
Youth-Dew lifetime sales milestone reported
By 1984 Youth-Dew had reportedly sold approximately 150 million bottles since its 1953 launch.
Published autobiography 'Estée: A Success Story'
Released her memoir 'Estée: A Success Story' (Random House, 1985) chronicling her life and business philosophy.
Subject of TV documentary 'Estée Lauder: The Sweet Smell of Success'
Featured in a 1985 television documentary profiling her life and business career.
Inducted into Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame
Honored for business leadership and entrepreneurship with induction into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame.
Company surpassed $1 billion in sales
Estée Lauder Companies reached approximately $1 billion in annual sales, a major corporate milestone achieved under family leadership.
Launched Origins brand
Introduced Origins, a nature-and-science based line that also used freestanding boutiques in addition to department stores.
Evelyn Lauder and company launched Breast Cancer Campaign
Estée's daughter-in-law Evelyn Lauder launched the Breast Cancer Campaign (and co-created the Pink Ribbon), a major philanthropic initiative by the company.
Company acquired MAC Cosmetics
Estée Lauder Companies added MAC Cosmetics to its portfolio as part of growth by acquisition strategy.
Estée retired; granted title Founding Chairwoman
Estée Lauder retired from day-to-day company duties and assumed an honorary role as founding chairwoman while her children took executive control.
Estée Lauder Companies IPO on NYSE
The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange at $26/share (pre-split), the IPO raised more than $450 million and the firm was valued around $2.9 billion at float.
Acquired Aveda (brand added)
Estée Lauder Companies expanded its portfolio with Aveda, the plant-based hair and skin care brand (acquisition/portfolio addition reported in the late 1990s).
Acquired Jo Malone London
Company added Jo Malone London to its brand portfolio (acquisition reported in the late 1990s).
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Listed as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 (reported in sources); timing relative to death noted in sources.
Died in Manhattan
Estée Lauder died of cardiopulmonary arrest at her Manhattan home on April 24, 2004.
Company acquisition - Smashbox (posthumous company milestone)
After Estée's death, the company continued acquisitions such as Smashbox in 2010 (included to show company legacy and growth originating from Estée's founding).
Company acquisition - Too Faced and Kilian (company expansion)
Estée Lauder Companies continued expansion with acquisitions such as Too Faced (2016 acquisition era) and Kilian Paris, reflecting long-term legacy.
Company sustainability milestone — NetZero operations
Estée Lauder Companies announced achieving NetZero carbon emissions for direct operations and sourcing 100% renewable energy for direct operations (company legacy continuation).
Lauder family estimated net worth (family-level)
Lauder family holdings (descendants of Estée) estimated by sources at around $40 billion (2020 estimate) reflecting value built from Estée's company.
Key Achievement Ages
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