Leonard A. Lauder, longtime chairman and guiding force of Estée Lauder Companies, has passed away at the age of 92.

He lived a colorful and exciting life. He was not only a titan of the cosmetics industry, but also a passionate philanthropist, devoted art collector, and steward of his family’s legacy. His passing marks the end of an era—one that blended glamour, genius, and generosity.

Born on March 19, 1933, Leonard was the eldest son of Estée and Joseph Lauder. From a young age, he was immersed in the world of beauty—first as an observer of his mother’s modest beginnings, and later as the sharp mind who would take the Estée Lauder brand global. After serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and Navy reservist, he earned a degree from the Wharton School before officially joining the family business in 1958.

Under Leonard’s leadership, Estée Lauder grew from a single-brand operation into a global powerhouse. He spearheaded the acquisitions of MAC, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, and La Mer, reshaping the landscape of modern beauty with a portfolio that celebrated individuality, diversity, and innovation. He also oversaw the launch of other iconic brands like Clinique, Aramis, and Lab Series.

But his legacy extends far beyond the beauty counter. A devoted patron of the arts, he assembled one of the world’s finest collections of Cubist art. In 2013, he donated a 78-piece collection of Cubist art to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

His philanthropy extended into health, education, breast cancer awareness, and Alzheimer’s research. In 2007, he co-founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, channeling millions into the fight against a disease that touched his own family.

“Mr. Lauder was a long-time advocate of cancer research and served as honorary chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the organization his beloved late-wife, Evelyn H. Lauder, founded in 1993,” Estes Lauder Companies wrote in their website. “He also championed the fight against Alzheimer’s by co-founding and leading the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation with his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, which supports cutting-edge drug research. Mr. Lauder remained actively engaged with these organizations until his death, and they were extraordinarily dear to his heart.”

Leonard Lauder didn’t just build a beauty empire—he lived a beautiful life.