The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty is Leonard Lauder’s captivating memoir that tracks his journey from boyhood in Queens to the helm of the Estée Lauder Companies. Born in 1933 to Estée and Joseph Lauder, Leonard flourished under his mother’s entrepreneurial shadow before forging his own path in the beauty world. His strategic mindset turned a struggling family business into a global powerhouse, while his philanthropic pursuits in art and health left indelible marks on culture and society. Leonard Lauder’s story shows how ambition, infused with purpose and generosity, can create a legacy that transcends markets and touches lives.
About, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty by Leonard Lauder
In the opening chapters of The Company I Keep, Leonard recounts the early rhythms of his life as the eldest son born in New York City on July 19, 1933. He was raised amid his mother Estée’s early skincare experiments, which were carried out in the family’s Queens kitchen. This immersion in innovation and hard work instilled in Leonard a deep appreciation for product quality and the grit required to build a business. These formative experiences shaped his values and inspired him to support Estée Lauder as it grew from modest beginnings to an international beauty dynasty.
Leonard’s academic journey took him to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and later Columbia Business School, where he gained a robust foundation in finance and management. Upon joining the family company in 1958—when annual revenue was still under $1 million—he assumed roles in billing, logistics, and store visits. His early tasks grounded him in the operational realities of running a business, but it was his visionary thinking and affinity for brand storytelling that set him apart. He understood that beauty was not just about products—it was about emotion, connection, and trust.
By 1972, Leonard was appointed President of Estée Lauder, and a decade later became CEO. During this period he introduced innovations that transformed the company’s DNA. He established its first research and development laboratory, allowing the brand to invest scientifically in product efficacy and skin safety. His decision to list the company on the stock market in 1995 opened the door to international expansion and acquisitions, such as MAC, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, and Clinique. Under his leadership, the company’s annual revenues swelled to $15 billion, and its prestige became recognized around the globe—particularly in Europe and Asia.
Leonard also coined the term “lipstick index,” a clever insight into consumer psychology during economic downturns. He noted that lipstick sales often rose when finances were tight, as women sought affordable indulgence and confidence. This concept not only deepened industry understanding but built public goodwill and trust. Perhaps more importantly, he elevated collaboration over conflict by bringing trusted non-family leaders into senior management, ensuring longevity and professional governance even after his retirement in 2009.
In parallel with his business success, Leonard built a powerful legacy of cultural enrichment and philanthropic impact. His passion for modern art, especially Cubism, led him to curate one of the world’s most important private collections. In 2013, he donated more than 200 works—many by Picasso and Braque—to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, a gift valued at around $1 billion. This act placed masterpieces once hidden in private homes into the public domain, enriching the lives of countless visitors. He supported the museum and other institutions like the Whitney Museum through programs and boards, demonstrating how leadership can reach far beyond profit.
Health and community were also close to Leonard’s heart. With his brother Ronald, he founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation to drive research and treatment, and partnered with his sister-in-law Evelyn Lauder to raise awareness and funding for breast cancer. Their efforts inspired generations of volunteers and solidified a legacy of compassion-driven corporate citizenship.
Leonard’s memoir is filled with compelling anecdotes: visiting department stores in Paris to negotiate shelf space, learning to embrace failure after product flops, and receiving heartfelt letters from museum visitors changed by his generosity. Throughout his narrative, one constant remains: a commitment to service—for family, customers, artists, and patients.
Reading The Company I Keep underscores the power of purposeful reading. Delving into Leonard’s experiences offers more than business tips—it provides insight into nurtured confidence, creative risk-taking, and the lasting influence of giving thoughtfully. Engaging deeply with such a book cultivates empathy, vocabulary, and perspective. It equips readers to contribute meaningfully to conversations—whether in professional circles, at dinner tables, or on social media—by referencing ideas, historical pathways, or philanthropic models. Even those skeptical of self-help or leadership books can still respect conversations grounded in research and values. As we absorb Leonard Lauder’s story, we see how a curious, reflective mind enriches relationships and redefines success.
Takeaway
Books like The Company I Keep serve as bridges between achievement and inspiration. Thoughtful reading—or intentional listening—sharpens our thinking, deepens conversations, and signals respect for the wisdom of others. When we quote established experts, we demonstrate intellectual humility and invite enriching dialogue. Whether aiming for influence or modest personal growth, nurturing mental libraries paves the way for more thoughtful families and communities. As Leonard Lauder showed through his life’s work, genius is formed when vision is rooted in empathy, scholarship, and generosity.
Explore more:
The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty by Leonard Lauder on Amazon
Estée Lauder Companies Press Release on Leonard Lauder’s Passing