Estée Lauder, the visionary cosmetics entrepreneur who built a global beauty empire, has died at age 97. The company she founded in 1946, known for its creams, powders, ointments, and perfumes, was valued at approximately $5 billion when it went public in 1995. Lauder revolutionized the beauty industry by personally demonstrating products to women and convincing them that her creams were "jars of hope."

Born Josephine Esther Mentzer in Queens, New York, Lauder started her business in a Manhattan kitchen, mixing face creams developed by her chemist uncle. She pioneered the practice of giving away free samples and created the first gift-with-purchase promotion, strategies that became industry standards. Her brand expanded from a single product line to include Clinique, MAC, and Aveda under corporate ownership.

Lauder's marketing genius lay in her personal touch - she would approach women at beauty counters and demonstrate products directly. This hands-on approach helped build trust in an industry where skepticism was common. By the time of her death, Estée Lauder Companies had become a cosmetics powerhouse with annual revenues exceeding $10 billion and a presence in over 150 countries.