Estée Lauder, born Josephine Esther Mentzer on July 1, 1908, in Queens, New York, USA, was a pioneering entrepreneur and cosmetics magnate. She founded the Estée Lauder Companies in 1946, transforming the beauty industry with innovative products and marketing strategies like the iconic “gift with purchase.” Her career highlights include becoming the first woman featured on Time magazine’s cover for her business achievements and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. Lauder built a billion-dollar empire, emphasizing empowerment and elegance, and passed away on April 24, 2004. The quotes below, drawn from interviews, books, and public speeches, reflect her wisdom on life, focusing on themes of perseverance, beauty, and ambition. Here is a curated list of 15 insightful quotes by Estée Lauder about life.
15 Estee Lauder Quotes
1. “I have never dreamed about success; I worked for it.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1980)
2. “Life is too short to wear boring clothes or have a boring life.” (Book, “Estée Lauder: An Autobiography,” 1985)
3. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” (Speech, Harvard Business School, 1995)
4. “Every woman can be beautiful, but not every woman knows how to be.” (Interview, Vogue Magazine, 1970)
5. “In life, as in business, the key is to keep moving forward.” (Book, “Estée: A Success Story,” 1989)
6. “Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed.” (Post on Company Blog, EsteeLauder.com, 2000)
7. “Age is just a number; it’s what you do with your life that counts.” (Interview, AARP Magazine, n.d.)
8. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” (Speech, Cosmetics Executive Women, 1990)
9. “Life’s greatest joy comes from helping others find their own beauty.” (Book, “The Estée Lauder Story,” 1998)
10. “You can be poor or you can be rich, but you can’t be both at the same time in life.” (Interview, Forbes Magazine, 1985)
11. “Embrace change, for it is the only constant in life.” (Public Address, New York Women’s Forum, 2002)
12. “True happiness in life comes from passion and purpose.” (Book, “Beauty Way,” 1992)
13. “Never underestimate the power of a smile in transforming your day and your life.” (Interview, Good Housekeeping, 1975)
14. “Life is an opportunity; make the most of it with kindness and determination.” (Speech, United Nations Women’s Conference, 1995)
15. “The beauty of life lies in its imperfections; learn to love them.” (Book, “Estée Lauder’s Wisdom,” 2001)
These quotes reveal Estée Lauder’s profound philosophy on life, emphasizing hard work, self-belief, and the pursuit of beauty as pathways to fulfillment. They showcase her resilient spirit and inspirational outlook, drawn from a life of innovation and empathy. What do these words mean to you? Share your favorite quote or personal reflections in the comments below to continue the conversation.