Curious about Leonard Lauder’s net worth in 2025? The noted philanthropist and former CEO of Estée Lauder left for the heavenly abode on June 14, 2025, at the age of 92. As netizens navigate through his career, they have become curious about his various sources of income.
So, here’s all about Lauder’s net worth at the time of his passing and how he built his wealth over the years.
What is Leonard Lauder’s net worth in 2025?
Leonard Lauder has an estimated net worth between $9.7- $15.6 billion in 2025.
Lauder’s net worth in 2025 consists mainly of earnings from his career as a billionaire heir, businessman, art collector, and author.
Leonard Lauder is mainly known as the former CEO of Estée Lauder and as a patron of the arts and culture.
What did Leonard Lauder do for a living?
Leonard Lauder was a businessman, art collector, and writer.
Following Lauder’s recent passing, his son William P. Lauder said in a statement, “Throughout his life, my father worked tirelessly to build and transform the beauty industry, pioneering many of the innovations, trends, and best practices that are foundational to the industry today…His warmth and thoughtfulness made an imprint on our company, the industry, and, of course, our family.”
Leonard Lauder’s earnings explained — how did he make money?
Leonard Lauder earned money from his various professional pursuits as a businessman, art collector, and writer.
Businessman and Philanthropist
Leonard Lauder was the billionaire heir of his mother Estée Lauder’s company, named after her. He made massive contributions to the company’s success, boosting his net worth. In 1958, he joined his family’s cosmetic company, Estée Lauder.
During his tenure, Lauder created the company’s first research and development laboratory and also acquired numerous brands, such as MAC Cosmetics, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, and Aveda. In 1999, he stepped down from his role as CEO, and served as the Chairman from 1995 to 2009.
In 2001, Lauder also created a now-discredited economic indicator, the Lipstick Index. Aside from his work as a businessman, he was a reputed philanthropist. Lauder was an honorary chairman on the board of directors of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Additionally, along with his brother, he founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.
Art Collector
Leonard Lauder took an interest in art collection and became the president of the Whitney Museum of American Art. He has contributed his art collections to major art museums, including a vast postcard collection to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, as well as a 78-piece Cubist art collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
As a sign of his love for art, Lauder also led the initiative to establish a research center for modern art at the museum.
Author
In 2020, Leonard Lauder published his memoir, titled The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty. Lauder, whose sales likely contributed to his net worth.
