LEONARD LAUDER

LAUDER--Leonard A. The Trustees and Staff of the Whitney Museum of American Art mourn the death of Leonard A. Lauder, longtime Whitney Trustee and Chairman Emeritus, who passed away on June 14, 2025. Peerless in his generosity, Leonard was the Museum's greatest benefactor since its founder, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. His belief in the power of art, artists, and museums to change lives made him an inspirational force not only at the Whitney but at cultural organizations throughout the world. Leonard became a Trustee of the Whitney in 1977, serving as President of the Board from 1990-1994 and then Chairman from 1994-2008. In 2008, he was appointed Chairman Emeritus, a lifetime title to honor his unmatched commitment to the Whitney. His visionary leadership helped support five of the Museum's Directors and made the Whitney the preeminent home of modern and contemporary American art that it is today. Ever focused on the Whitney's future, Leonard enabled the Museum to move into its new home in the Meatpacking District with a milestone endowment gift of $131 million in 2008. His close partnership with architect Renzo Piano, then Director Adam D. Weinberg, and the entire Board of Trustees enabled a four-fold growth of the Whitney's facility and a five-fold growth of its audience. Yet Leonard always believed that great art was more crucial to Museums than great buildings. He tirelessly championed the Whitney's collection over the last half century, helping the Museum acquire nearly 1,000 works, including masterpieces by Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, and many more. Beyond individual icons, he valued and supported great depth in prints, drawings, and photographs from across the 20th and 21st centuries. In addition, he was the lead individual sponsor of some of the Museum's most groundbreaking exhibitions, such as The American Century and Jasper Johns: Mind/Mirror. In 2016, the inaugural Whitney Collection Award was presented to Leonard, honoring 40 years of unstinting support and exceptional commitment to expanding the Museum's collection. It was also announced that the Whitney's new home in the Meatpacking District was to be named the Leonard A. Lauder Building in his honor. While on the Board, Leonard was active on several committees, including the Executive Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, and Building Committee, of which he served as Chairman for many years. He was also a member of many acquisition committees and patron groups, remaining part of the Chairman's Council, American Fellows, and the National Committee until his passing. Perhaps the greatest gifts Leonard gave to the Whitney were his time, energy, wisdom, care, and characteristic warmth. The driving force behind the growth and transformation of the Whitney, Leonard's commitment to the Museum's success was born of a genuine passion for the role Museums can play in inspiring visitors and shaping contemporary culture. He led in accordance with the Museum's mission and upheld its values to the highest standards. Stated simply, the Whitney would not be what it is today without Leonard's belief, persistence, leadership, and generosity. Both his incomparable legacy and his loss will be felt deeply for decades to come. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Leonard's beloved wife Judy and his son William Lauder; his son Gary Lauder and wife, Laura; his five grandchildren, Rachel, Danielle, Djuna-Bear, Joshua, and Eliana; his two great- grandchildren, many stepchildren and step-grandchildren, as well as his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, and wife, Jo Carole Lauder, and their daughters, Aerin Lauder and Jane Lauder.