Estée Lauder
Sold her chemist uncle's face creams at beach clubs; built the company on free samples.
Estée Lauder was born in 1908 in Queens, New York, US. Estée Lauder's background is described as Hungarian-Jewish immigrant parents. Growing up, the family was middle class — the family lived above her father's hardware store in Corona, Queens. Sold her chemist uncle's face creams at beach clubs; built the company on free samples.
- Born
- 1908 · Queens, New York, US
- Roots
- Hungarian-Jewish immigrant parents
- Family
- Middle class
- The family lived above her father's hardware store in Corona, Queens.
- Education
- Newtown High School; no university
- Started with
- An uncle's face cream
- Her chemist uncle's homemade skin creams, which she sold at salons and beach clubs.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1924 · age 16The uncle's lab
Learns to make creams from her chemist uncle John Schotz; sells to classmates and salon customers.
- 1946 · age 38Founds the company
With her husband Joseph, cooking batches on a restaurant stove.
- 1948 · age 40Saks Fifth Avenue$800 order
The first department-store order sells out in two days.
- 1953 · age 45Youth-Dew
A bath oil doubling as perfume; turns the company into a mass business.
- 1960 · age 52Free samples
The gift-with-purchase model she pushed becomes industry standard.
- 1998 · age 90Time's business geniuses list
The only woman on its 20-name 20th-century list.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Estée Lauder from?
Estée Lauder was born in 1908 in Queens, New York, US. Their background is described as Hungarian-Jewish immigrant parents.
When was Estée Lauder born?
Estée Lauder was born in 1908, in Queens, New York, US.
What is Estée Lauder's background or ethnicity?
Estée Lauder's roots are described as Hungarian-Jewish immigrant parents. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Estée Lauder go to school?
Estée Lauder's education: Newtown High School; no university.
What was Estée Lauder's family background growing up?
At birth the family was middle class. The family lived above her father's hardware store in Corona, Queens.
How did Estée Lauder get started?
Estée Lauder started with an uncle's face cream. Her chemist uncle's homemade skin creams, which she sold at salons and beach clubs.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.