History of Estée Lauder (businesswoman) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 23, 2026

Estée Lauder (born Josephine Esther Mentzer) was an influential American businesswoman and the co-founder, alongside her husband Joseph Lauter, of the global cosmetics giant, Estée Lauder Companies. She built a beauty empire from the ground up, starting with skincare products developed by her uncle. Lauder was a marketing innovator, emphasizing personal selling and free samples. Her business acumen and vision were recognized when she became the only woman on Time magazine's 1998 list of the 20 most influential business geniuses of the 20th century. She passed away in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of entrepreneurial success and a lasting impact on the beauty industry.

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Full Timeline

1905: Rose Married Max Mentzer

In 1905, Estée Lauder's mother, Rose, married Max Mentzer, a shopkeeper, who had immigrated to the United States in the 1890s.

July 1, 1908: Estée Lauder's Birth

On July 1, 1908, Josephine Esther Mentzer, later known as Estée Lauder, was born. She would become a prominent American businesswoman and co-founder of the Estée Lauder Companies.

1929: Building Constructed

In 1929, the building at 501 Madison Avenue (East 52nd Street) in New York, which would later house Estée Lauder Cosmetic Co., was constructed by Kohn, Knight & Vitolo.

January 15, 1930: Marriage to Joseph Lauter

On January 15, 1930, Estée Mentzer married Joseph Lauter, whose father had emigrated from Austria. Their surname was later changed to Lauder.

March 19, 1933: Birth of Leonard Lauder

On March 19, 1933, Estée and Joseph Lauder's first child, Leonard, was born.

1939: Separation and Divorce

In 1939, Estée and Joseph Lauder separated and divorced, leading Estée to move to Florida.

1942: Remarriage to Joseph Lauder

In 1942, Estée and Joseph Lauder remarried, renewing their commitment to each other.

1944: Birth of Ronald Lauder

In 1944, Estée and Joseph Lauder's second son, Ronald, was born.

1946: Estée Lauder Cosmetic Co. Launched

In 1946, Estée and Joseph Lauder founded Estée Lauder Cosmetic Co., establishing their business at 501 Madison Avenue in New York City.

1953: Introduction of Youth-Dew Fragrance

In 1953, Lauder introduced her first fragrance, Youth-Dew, a bath oil that also functioned as a perfume, revolutionizing fragrance use and selling 50,000 bottles in its first year.

January 16, 1978: Legion of Honour Award

On January 16, 1978, Estée Lauder received the Chevalier (Knight) class of the Legion of Honour from the Consul General of France, Gerard Causer, becoming the first woman to receive this honor.

1983: Death of Joseph Lauder

In 1983, Joseph Lauder, Estée's husband, passed away. They remained married until his death.

1984: Youth-Dew Sales Reach 150 Million Bottles

By 1984, sales of Youth-Dew had soared to 150 million bottles, demonstrating the fragrance's enduring popularity and Estée Lauder's business acumen.

1985: Estée Lauder: The Sweet Smell of Success

In 1985, Estée Lauder was the subject of a TV documentary titled Estée Lauder: The Sweet Smell of Success, where she attributed her success to her persistent salesmanship and belief in her products.

1985: Biography 'Estée Lauder: Beyond the Magic' Discredits Claims

In 1985, Lee Israel's biography, Estée Lauder: Beyond the Magic, challenged Lauder's claims of European aristocracy, portraying her as a New Yorker rather than an aristocrat, despite her crafted image within the beauty industry.

1986: Ronald Lauder Appointed U.S. Ambassador to Austria

In 1986, Ronald Lauder, Estée Lauder's son, was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Austria, serving in that role until 1987.

1988: Induction to Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame

In 1988, Estée Lauder was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to the business world.

1998: Time Magazine's Influential Business Geniuses

In 1998, Estée Lauder was recognized as the only woman on Time magazine's list of the 20 most influential business geniuses of the 20th century, solidifying her impact on the business world.