Obituary for Leonard Lauder
Drawing Copyright: Lena Bühring
It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the passing of a true friend and unwavering supporter of the Aspen family, Leonard Lauder. A visionary in all senses, Leonard was generous with his wisdom, clear in his convictions, and deeply committed to fostering dialogue and understanding across borders and generations. He will be deeply missed by the Aspen community and beyond.
Leonard’s passing leaves a deep void for the Aspen Institute, for the transatlantic community, and for all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Without Leonard’s vision, trust, and support in both the recent and more distant past, Aspen Germany would not be the strong and vibrant platform it is today.
Leonard Lauder was born to Joseph and Estée Lauder, who founded the renowned Estée Lauder Companies. After serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy (and later as a reservist), he joined Estée Lauder in 1958, where he served for more than six decades, pioneering new innovations which transformed the organization into the significant brand it is to this day.
A committed supporter of education and the arts, Leonard joined the Board of Trustees of the Aspen Institute in the United States in 1980. He provided considerable financial support to the home of the Aspen idea – the Aspen Meadows Campus – and championed the importance of bringing this original vision of values-based leadership and dialogue to different nations across the globe, backing the Aspen International Partners through his guidance and personal engagement. Indeed, his visionary leadership knew no borders.
Leonard’s encouragement not only shaped the institutions but touched the Aspen family worldwide on a deeply personal level. He inspired Aspen Germany with his clarity, courage, and belief in the power of humanity, for which he was recognized with the Shepard Stone Award at the first ever Gala of the Aspen Institute Germany, hosted on the occasion of the Institute’s 40th anniversary in 2014. His acceptance of the award is remembered fondly by the Aspen Germany community, reflecting the exceptional standard he set for all the distinguished awardees who would follow in the subsequent years.
He continued to support Aspen Germany in more recent years, most notably through the Socrates Program, where he made the first ever Socrates Seminar in Germany possible through the generous support of the Leonard A. Lauder Socrates International Partners Fund in 2024. Moreover, the Institute was delighted to have featured him in its special anniversary publication last year, in which he shared his unique connection to the International Partner network, highlighting his deep belief in the importance of promoting the Aspen philosophy across all nations.
His spirit, foresight, and friendship will remain a lasting source of guidance and strength. While we have lost an important member of the Aspen family, Leonard’s unwavering commitment to the values of a just and open society will undoubtedly live on for decades to come.
