Evelyn Lauder
Evelyn Lauder | |
|---|---|
| Born | Evelyn Hausner August 12, 1936 Vienna, Austria |
| Died | November 12, 2011 (aged 75) New York City, US |
| Nationality | Austrian, American |
| Spouse | |
| Children | William P. Lauder Gary Lauder |
| Website | EvelynLauder.com |
Evelyn Lauder (born Evelyn Hausner; August 12, 1936 – November 12, 2011) was an Austrian-American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and social figure recognized for her role in creating and popularizing the pink ribbon as a symbol to promote breast cancer awareness.
Early life
Lauder was born into a Jewish family in Vienna. Following the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, her family escaped persecution and relocated, ultimately settling in New York City by 1940. She completed her secondary education at Hunter College High School in 1954 before pursuing studies in Psychology and Anthropology at Hunter College, part of the City University of New York. It was during this period that she met Leonard Lauder, whom she wed in 1959.
After spending several years teaching in Harlem, she joined her husband at the family enterprise established by her mother-in-law, Estée Lauder. At that time, the company’s product range consisted of six items including a red lipstick, various creams and lotions, and Youth Dew fragrance presented as a bath oil.
Career
Lauder held the position of Senior Corporate Vice President at the Estée Lauder Companies and was a member of the board of overseers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A 1995 profile in The New York Times depicted her as a highly organized executive who assumed the public-facing responsibilities previously managed by Estée Lauder herself.
She was instrumental in launching the Clinique brand and overseeing its product development while also acting as Clinique’s training director. Notably, Lauder pioneered the use of the signature white lab coat worn by Clinique sales representatives globally.
Breast cancer activist
Lauder played a key role in fundraising $13.6 million to create the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, inaugurated in 1992 to specialize in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, she raised $5 million to endow clinical research initiatives at the center.
In collaboration with Alexandra Penney, editor of Self magazine, Lauder helped initiate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1991. Together they established The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and introduced the pink ribbon as an emblem for breast cancer awareness during Self’’’s campaign in 1992. She committed to distributing these ribbons through Estée Lauder’s cosmetic counters across the United States.
By 1993, she had developed Pink Ribbon lipstick as part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness. Her husband provided funding to register The Breast Cancer Research Foundation nationwide. By early 1995, the foundation had generated approximately $900,000 from sales including Pink Ribbon lipstick and Clinique’s Berry Kiss shade.
As of October 2008, Estée Lauder Companies reported that its Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign had amassed $335 million for research purposes and distributed over 80 million pink ribbons.
Following her passing, Delta Air Lines honored her legacy by renaming a Boeing 767-400ER featuring pink livery—originally dedicated to her foundation—in her memory.
Personal life
Evelyn Lauder was married to Leonard Lauder, the former chairman of the Estée Lauder Companies, from 1959 until her passing. Together, they had two sons: William P. Lauder and Gary M. Lauder, who serves as managing director of Lauder Partners LLC.
Death
Evelyn Lauder passed away at her Manhattan residence due to complications related to nongenetic ovarian cancer. She had been a longtime inhabitant of Palm Beach, Florida. A private funeral ceremony took place at the Central Synagogue in New York City.
Awards And Nominations
Double Helix Medal
- 2010: Honored with the CSHL Double Helix Medal