Family Drama Is Part of Estée Lauder’s Succession Plans

Family drama unfolds behind the scenes at the Estée Lauder Companies (ELC).

Jane Lauder reportedly wanted her cousin William Lauder  “ousted” from the company, reports Emily Glazer and Natasha Khan in a Wall Street Journal exclusive, posted yesterday on MSN. 

Despite the news and public “family feud,” an ELC spokesperson for Jane and William stated, “We have both been a part of this company for decades, and we are aligned and united—together with the board of directors—and fully support the management team, in ensuring the company’s long-term, enduring success.”

The WSJ article states that in early September, Jane sent some of her fellow board members a private—and surprising—letter stating that William should step down from his role as executive chairman, a position he has held for nearly 15 years. On November 8th, he did—but he remains Chair of the Board of Directors. 

Were Jane Lauder’s Accomplishments Overlooked?

Jane reportedly sent the letters about William after learning that Stéphane de La Faverie would succeed Fabrizio Freda as the new CEO. She was not only overlooked as a CEO candidate but a vice chair role “was offered to her without the same level of power,” as William, the article states.

We all know what happened next. At the end of October, Jane announced she was resigning from her role as an executive vice president.

Now, for the first time in the Estée Lauder Companies’ history, a family member isn’t at the helm in a top executive role.

The company’s namesake, Estée Lauder, founded the company in 1946—and built it into a global business with $15.9 billion in annual sales.

Jane is the youngest of Estée’s four grandchildren. In July 2020, Jane was named chief data officer and executive VP of enterprise marketing. She accelerated ELC’s enterprise-wide innovation strategy, leveraging AI and ground-breaking technology tools to advance how ELC gathers and applies consumer insights, trends, and high-touch experiences.

Before this, Jane served as global brand president for Clinique, where she tripled online business.

Jane launched Clinique’s breakthrough digital skin diagnostic tool, Clinique Clinical Reality. As Brand President for the Origins, Ojon, and Darphin brands, she helped reposition the Origins brand to focus on “nature powered by science.”

Jane also led ELC’s gender equity strategy and was the executive chair of the company’s global women in leadership efforts.