Evelyn Lauder facts for kids

Evelyn Lauder (born Evelyn Hausner; August 12, 1936 – November 12, 2011) was an amazing Austrian American businesswoman. She was also a well-known person in society and a generous helper of good causes. Many people know her for helping to create and make popular the pink ribbon. This ribbon is a special symbol for telling people about breast cancer.

Evelyn's Early Life

Evelyn Hausner was born in 1936 in Vienna, Austria. Her family was Jewish. In 1938, her family had to leave Austria because of the Nazis. They moved to Belgium, then to England. In England, Evelyn stayed in a nursery. Her mother went to a safe camp. In 1940, her family finally arrived in New York City.

School Days

Evelyn finished Hunter College High School in 1954. She then went to Hunter College. There, she studied Psychology and Anthropology. She also met her future husband, Leonard Lauder, on a blind date. He was training to be a naval officer. Evelyn graduated from college in 1958. She and Leonard got married on July 5, 1959.

Starting Her Career

After getting married, Evelyn worked as a public school teacher. She taught in Harlem for several years. Later, she joined her husband at the family business. This company was started by her mother-in-law, Estée Lauder. When Evelyn joined, the company sold only a few products. These included lipstick, creams, lotions, and a special bath oil.

Evelyn's Work at Estée Lauder

Evelyn Lauder became a very important person at the Estée Lauder Companies. She was a Senior Corporate Vice President. She also helped guide the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A newspaper article in 1995 called her a very organized woman. It said she was starting to take on a public role. This role was once filled by her mother-in-law, Estée Lauder.

Creating Clinique

Evelyn was a leader at Estée Lauder. She helped create the Clinique brand. She also developed its many products. She was the first training director for Clinique. She was also the first person to wear the famous white lab coat. Now, Clinique salespeople all over the world wear these coats.

Fighting Breast Cancer

Evelyn Lauder worked hard to raise money. She personally raised a lot of the $13.6 million. This money helped create the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center. It opened in October 1992 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. This center helps treat and find breast cancer. She also helped raise another $5 million. This money helps fund clinical research at the center.

The Pink Ribbon Symbol

In April 1991, Evelyn had lunch with her friend Alexandra Penney. Alexandra was the editor of Self magazine. They talked about ideas for articles about breast cancer. This led to Self magazine's first special issue for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Evelyn and Alexandra then started The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They also made the pink ribbon a well-known symbol. This was for breast cancer awareness. It happened with Self magazine's second special issue in 1992. Evelyn promised to put the ribbons on Estée Lauder's makeup counters. These were in stores all across the United States.

Raising Money for Research

By 1993, Evelyn helped create a new makeup shade. It was called Pink Ribbon. This was part of her personal effort to raise awareness. Her husband paid to register The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This was done in all 50 states. By early 1995, about $900,000 had been raised. This included money from selling Pink Ribbon lipstick and blush.

By October 2008, the Estée Lauder Companies had raised $335 million. This money went towards breast cancer research. They also gave out 80 million pink ribbons.

After Evelyn passed away, Delta Air Lines honored her. They had already painted one of their planes pink. This was for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They renamed the plane in her memory.

Evelyn's Family Life

Evelyn was married to Leonard Lauder. He was the former chairman of the Estée Lauder Companies. They were married from 1959 until her death. They had two sons. Their names are William P. Lauder and Gary M. Lauder.

Evelyn's Passing

Evelyn Lauder passed away at her home in Manhattan. She died from complications of ovarian cancer. She had lived in Palm Beach, Florida for a long time. A private funeral was held for her in New York City.

Awards and Recognition

Double Helix Medal

• 2010: CSHL Double Helix Medal Honoree