Leonard Lauren, the older brother of fashion designer Ralph Lauren and a former vice president at Ralph Lauren Corp., has died at age 93. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday at his New York home, with funeral services scheduled for Tuesday in Manhattan.
Leonard “Lenny” Lauren was born on March 4, 1932, in the Bronx, New York, to a Jewish immigrant family. As the second-oldest of four siblings — Thelma, Lenny, Jerry, and Ralph — he witnessed the family’s evolution from the Lifshitz surname to Lauren. Lenny attended DeWitt Clinton High School and later served in the U.S. Army, where he worked as a staffer for the military publication “Stars and Stripes,” honing photography skills during assignments across Europe. After his military service, he co-founded a packaging business with his father-in-law, designing intricate display cases for luxury jewelry clients including Bulova, Seiko, Tiffany & Co., and Cartier. He joined Ralph Lauren Corp. during its early growth phase, serving as vice president and contributing to licensing initiatives that expanded the brand’s reach.
The news marks the passing of Lenny Lauren, a retired executive and beloved family member, at the age of 93. Known for his creativity in packaging and his sociable nature, he played a foundational role in Ralph Lauren’s business operations during the brand’s formative years. His death represents the loss of a key figure in the Lauren family narrative and the fashion industry’s history.
Lenny Lauren died on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The news of his passing was publicly reported by WWD on Monday, August 18. His funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19, at Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York City.
He died at his home in New Rochelle, New York. The funeral service will be held at Riverside Memorial Chapel, located at 180 West 76th Street in Manhattan.
The cause of death was not explicitly disclosed, but it was described as peaceful, occurring during sleep at his residence. Given his advanced age, the passing is attributed to natural causes. He had maintained an active lifestyle until recently, including regular visits to his country club in Purchase, New York, and was seen enjoying lunch there just days before his death.
Lenny Lauren’s death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from friends, family, and associates. Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff shared a tribute on Instagram, describing him as “a kind and caring man — and always a true gentleman” and noting that Palm Beach would “not be the same without him.” Jeffrey Banks, a former Ralph Lauren employee, recalled his upbeat personality and constant flow of creative ideas. His passing leaves a void in the Lauren family and the fashion community, where he was respected as part of the team that built an iconic global brand. Beyond business, he was active in philanthropy, serving on boards for the National Humane Society, Universal American, and medical institutions like the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday morning. He is survived by his daughters Beth Lauren (and her husband Michael Lengel) and Susan Faust (and her husband Phillip Faust); grandchildren Taylor and Brandon Faust; and brothers Ralph and Jerry Lauren. The family is expected to honor his legacy through private remembrances and continued engagement with the charitable causes he supported. His death concludes a life marked by creativity, family dedication, and quiet influence on American fashion.