My dog Lila is the most fun loving birthday gift I've ever gotten and I credit her with making me discover the amazing beauty of Central Park. Before I got her, I had never been "forced" to go on early morning walks every day, so I didn't really pay much attention to the daily changes in the park. The first snow falls and ice covered trees in the Winter; the budding purple crocuses that signal the Spring; the deep green grass of the Summer; and the rainbow of colored leafs in the Fall. We always enter the park on 68Th Street and 5Th Avenue and walk down a small path lined with green benches. About three years ago I noticed a bench with a silver sign that said "Reserved For Lovers Only. 40 Joyous Years. Evelyn and Leonard Lauder".
I realized I knew who they were and remembered reading about them. They are the couple that owns the Estee Lauder cosmetics company, and Leonard is the son of the famous Estee Lauder. The sign was very inspirational so I sat down on the bench and thought that one day I should interview older couples in the park, and ask them about the secrets behind their love stories. How about the secrets for something like "40 Joyous Years" ? I thought that was definitely the kind of subject that was worthy of some real research. At some point, but I don't remember when, I saw another bench, not far from the first one, and it said: "To my beloved Evelyn. Our 50Th anniversary is just the beginning. Love as always. Leonard". After reading the sign I thought Leonard was clearly a very smart man, that had to be one of the secrets for sure.
I finally started writing this blog last weekend after meeting an amazing couple, Rita and Douglas. But life has serendipitous events that happen when you least expect them, and this morning I was to meet the source of my inspiration, face to face. As I was exiting the park on the path that leads back to 5Th Avenue, I saw an older and very elegant man sitting on a bench and busily talking on his cellphone. I immediately recognized him, I had seen his picture before, it was Leonard Lauder. I really wanted to say hi to him, but was so nervous. I mean, he is only one of the richest people in New York; and I felt he would probably not be too happy to have to greet an intrusive stranger that approached him in the park. But I felt I had to talk to him, so I waited until he finished his call, I summoned my courage to approach him and said: "Hi Mr. Lauder, I wanted to tell you that I love your benches and I think they are the most romantic places to relax in the park" He gave me a big smile, then shook my hand warmly and said "Thank you dear, that's very kind of you, I will tell my wife".
I was so happy to meet him, and was relieved because he didn't seem bothered at all, but instead was so nice to me. I guess he doesn't get approached that often by petite girls with small dogs that congratulate him for being romantic with his wife; and for his messages on park benches. Probably other more business oriented references come first when someone says "Hi" to Mr. Lauder.
Many articles have been written about him, his wife and their financial empire, so I will not attempt to give you my limited version here. What I can say is that it is clear that they have always known what is truly important in life. Leonard Lauder is also a very lucky man because his wife is a very smart and caring woman. Evelyn Lauder was born in Vienna in 1937, as a child she was forced to flee the persecution of Nazi-ruled Austria and ended up in New York. She later became a public school teacher in Harlem, and in 1955 she met Leonard on a blind date that was set up by one of her high school friends. From the start Evelyn created a very good relationship with Estee Lauder, who would soon become her mother in law, and later would make her one of the creative forces and the Senior Vice President of their family run business, Estee Lauder Companies. Evelyn is admirable because she has used her power and recognition to raise awareness for one of the most important issues for women's health. She established the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1992, and she is the creator of the pink ribbon campaign, that has so far raised million of dollars for breast cancer. Following her successful idea, many other health related campaigns have chosen a different ribbon color for their causes. For me, Evelyn and Leonard are an inspirational couple because they have taken full advantage of the abundance that life has given them, and they have not lost sight of what is truly important. Love, partnership, creativity, contribution, and the celebration of it all. This is why after I saw their bench for the first time, I knew they would be the inspiration for a subject worthy of research; "40 Joyous Years" and they are still counting, this year it's 55. Mazel Tov ! and may they enjoy many more years together!
If you want to read more about them, their story, and what they have contributed to others, follow this link for a Wall Street Journal article.
If you want to contribute to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Hi Fiona! Great to read this :) I think I know this bench too hihi! Very fun to read the story behind it! Hope you are well! xxx
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