Estée Lauder to merge with Puige brands. Estée Lauder (1908–2004) was born Josephine Esther Mentzer to Hungarian-Jewish immigrant parents in Queens, New York. She was raised Jewish, and her upbringing, resilience, and family background were deeply rooted in her Jewish heritage, shaping her journey in building the global cosmetics empire. What do we think? Via stevesentya #esteelauder #beautynews #charlottetilbury