Estée Lauder Heir’s Family Completes $1B Share Sale to Fulfill Estate Obligations
The family of the late Estée Lauder heir, Leonard Lauder, has successfully finalized a substantial $1 billion share sale to meet estate obligations. This transaction marks one of the most significant family divestments in the history of the beauty industry. The Leonard A. Lauder 2013 Revocable Trust sold 11.3 million shares at $90 each through J.P. Morgan Securities, with the offering closing on November 6, 2025.
Leonard Lauder, who passed away in June at the age of 92, was instrumental in transforming the company from a small family business into a global beauty powerhouse during his six-decade tenure. The proceeds from this secondary offering will be utilized to pay estate taxes, debts, and administrative expenses related to settling his estate. Despite this significant divestment, the Lauder family retains 82% of the company’s voting control.
Even with the substantial divestment, the family’s continued control ensures stability for the beauty giant. Estée Lauder is the proud owner of iconic brands including MAC Cosmetics, Clinique, La Mer, and Bobbi Brown. The timing of this sale coincides with Estée Lauder reporting stronger-than-expected Q1 2026 earnings. The company reported $3.48 billion in revenue, surpassing analyst projections despite ongoing market challenges.