Estee Lauder Companies announced the news and said he died surrounded by family.
Mr Lauder, the oldest son of Estee and Joseph H Lauder, who founded the company in 1946, formally joined the New York business in 1958.
Over more than six decades, he played a key role in transforming the business from a handful of products sold under a single brand in US stores to a multi-brand global giant.
He had held the title of chairman emeritus at the time of his death.
Estee Lauder’s products are sold in roughly 150 countries and territories under brand names including Clinique and Aveda, according to the company’s latest annual report.
The company generated sales of nearly $16bn (€13.8bn) in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the filing said.
Estee Lauder went public in 1995, but members of the Lauder family still have about 84pc of the voting power of common stock, according to the latest annual filing.
Mr Lauder served as president of The Estée Lauder Companies from 1972 to 1995 and as CEO from 1982 to 1999.
He was named chairman in 1995 and served in that role until June 2009.
Under his stewardship, Lauder created the company’s first research and development laboratory, brought in professional management at every level, and was the impetus behind the international expansion, helping to spearhead the company’s sales and profits exponentially, according to the company.
Mr Lauder led the launch of many brands including Aramis, Clinique and Lab Series, among others.
Until his death, he remained deeply involved in the company’s acquisition strategy, including the acquisitions of such brands as Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone London and MAC, the company said.
“Throughout his life, my father worked tirelessly to build and transform the beauty industry, pioneering many of the innovations, trends, and best practices that are foundational to the industry today,” said William P Lauder, son and chair of the board at The Estée Lauder Companies, in a statement.
“He was the most charitable man I have ever known, believing that art and education belonged to everyone, and championing the fight against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and breast cancer,” he added.
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