Business
Leonard A. Lauder
(Estée Lauder Companies)

Former Estée Lauder CEO Leonard A. Lauder passes away, leaving transformative beauty legacy

The longtime executive helped shape Estée Lauder into a global beauty leader with brand-defining deals and vision.

Nia Warfield

Longtime Estée Lauder Chairman Emeritus Leonard A. Lauder has passed away after more than 60 years with the company.

Leonard was the eldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, the founders of The Estée Lauder Companies. He officially joined the business in 1958, played a key role in its expansion, and was pivotal in the company’s transformation into a global beauty empire. He served as president from 1972 to 1995, CEO from 1982 to 1999, and chairman from 1995 through 2009.

In addition to establishing the company’s first research and development lab, Lauder was instrumental in acquiring some of the most recognizable names in beauty, including Aveda, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, and MAC Cosmetics.

Estée Lauder shares rose more than 10% Monday and is now flat on the year.

More Business

See all Business
Millie Giles
BIG TICKET
2h
The DOJ thinks that Live Nation-Ticketmaster has a monopoly on the live music industry. Could it have a point?

The landmark antitrust trial kicked off on Tuesday, though the ticketing giant maintains that it’s simply spreading joy.

Live Nation NYC headquarters signs
value of large property. businessman holding a big house

Opendoor CEO says it will offer 4.99% mortgages — even as its profit per home thins

The iBuying company is back in the mortgage business it left four years ago.

Hyunsoo Rim2h
Skydance Officially Closes Deal To Merge With Paramount

Paramount sinks as ratings agencies scrutinize its debt

Paramount on Monday said its merger with Warner Bros. would create an entity with $79 billion in net debt.

Max Knoblauch23h
David Ellison at The State Of The Union Address

Paramount+ and HBO Max will combine, David Ellison says

It’s yet to be determined whether this merger will result in yet another new name for the HBO streamer.

Max Knoblauch3/2/26
Close-up of cheeseburger

McDonald’s pivoted to value and won. Now it's taking a big, beefy gamble on the Big Arch

The fast food giant’s biggest-ever burger has a premium price tag in a value-driven time. Can it deliver a big bump in sales or will it be a repeat of McDonald’s most famous flop?

Adam Chandler2/27/26

Latest Stories

Sherwood Media, LLC produces fresh and unique perspectives on topical financial news and is a fully owned subsidiary of Robinhood Markets, Inc., and any views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of any other Robinhood affiliate, including Robinhood Markets, Inc., Robinhood Financial LLC, Robinhood Securities, LLC, Robinhood Crypto, LLC, or Robinhood Money, LLC.
©2026 Sherwood Media, LLC