Ronald Lauder is an entrepreneur, political activist, art collector, philanthropist and president of the World Jewish Congress. He was born in the United States of America in 1944. Lauder's hometown is New York. His parents are the founders of the legendary cosmetics and perfume company Estee Lauder. Ronald has an older brother, Leonard. In our country, Lauder is known for his participation in the work of the Russian Jewish Congress.
Famous family
His mother Este Lauder, together with her husband Joseph, founded the cosmetics company of the same name. The multi-million dollar corporation began with a small store that the couple opened in New York. Thanks to the knowledge in chemistry obtained from her uncle, Estee Lauder created several skin creams, which later became extremely popular. She became the only woman to fall into the list of the most influential business geniuses compiled by Time magazine. The eldest son Leonard served as chairman of the board of directors.
Early years and study
Ronald Lauder and his brother were raised in accordance with Jewish traditions. He attended the Bronx Specialized School of Science and earned a bachelor's degree in international business from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he studied in Europe.
Career
Ronald Lauder joined the company of his parents in 1964. Until now, he continues to be on the board of directors of Estee Lauder. In 1984, the public service of Lauder began. He received the post of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. His competence included security issues in Europe and NATO countries. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan appointed Lauder as US Ambassador to Austria.
After completing his diplomatic service, he put forward his candidacy for mayoral elections in New York, but at the republican stage, the primaries lost to his rival. Lauder is actively investing in real estate and the media. His fortune exceeds two billion dollars.
Art
Ronald Lauder owns the world's largest private collection of medieval weapons and armor. In 2001, he founded an art museum in New York called the New Gallery. It presents paintings of the early twentieth century from Germany and Austria. Lauder acquired for the gallery the painting "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I". This work belongs to the artist Gustav Klimt. According to media reports, a record amount of $ 135 million was paid. This picture has become the main masterpiece of the New Gallery. Lauder took an active part in the return to the rightful owners of the works of art captured at one time by the Nazis.
Politics
At the request of Israeli politicians, Lauder initiated informal negotiations with the Syrian government in 1998. As an intermediary, he tried to contribute to the achievement of peace agreements between these states.Lauder managed to make some concessions on the Syrian side, but in the end, diplomatic efforts were fruitless. The Syrian-Israeli talks in 2000 were unsuccessful.
Lauder also sought to help resolve the Palestinian problem. In 2012, he appealed through the media to President Mahmoud Abbas with a call to return to the negotiating table with the Israelis.
Philanthropy
Lauder set up a charity to help rebuild Jewish communities in Eastern and Central Europe. This foundation also supports student exchange programs. In 2003, Lauder became the founder and president of the Vienna Business School. He and his older brother financed the creation of the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania.
At the head of the largest Jewish organization
Work on this post became the most famous episode in the biography of Ronald Lauder. He won the World Jewish Congress in 2007 by a wide margin. As the head of this organization, he met with leaders of many states and religious denominations, including Pope Benedict XVI. Lauder has consistently advocated Israel joining NATO. In his opinion, only such a decision will give this country security guarantees against the unpredictable development of events in the Middle East.
Lauder criticized the deals of European energy companies with Iran. He called for increased UN sanctions against Tehran for its threats against Israel. In 2012, Lauder became a member of the Bureau of the Presidium of the Russian Jewish Congress. This organization acts as a charitable foundation. It includes the most influential and famous Russian Jews.
Personal life
Lauder is married to Joe Carol Knopf. They have two daughters, Aerin and Jane. The children of Ronald Lauder take part in the family business. The eldest daughter Aerin is the Creative Director at Estee Lauder and has her own line of cosmetics, perfumes and fashionable clothes. In 1996, she married Eric Zinterhofer. The wedding ceremony was held in accordance with Jewish traditions. Eric Zinterhofer is an investment banker. The couple has two sons. The youngest daughter Jane Lauder in 2013 was appointed to the position of general manager of several brands and is responsible for their development. She is married to Kevin Warsh, a former manager of the US Federal Reserve. The couple lives in Manhattan, they have two children. Both heirs of the Lauder family own stakes in the family company, valued at billions of dollars.
