Former Estée Lauder Exec, Thia Breen Dies

Thia Breen, a former executive at Estée Lauder Companies died at 73 from cancer.
 
In a 2023 interview with Beauty Inc., Breen said, 
 
“I always think of the customer first. It’s how I grew up in the drugstore. I add a few more zeros to the business, but still, that whole idea of, ‘Do we have what the customer wants? Is she coming back?’ Although we’re involved with over 25 brands at Lauder… it still is one customer at a time.”
 
Breen made a lasting impression on the beauty industry and those she worked for. In a Beauty Inc. interview, Chairman Emeritus Leonard A. Lauder noted she was one of the greatest execs at Estée Lauder Cosmetics. 
 
“She always had her pulse on what was happening in the industry and, especially, in our home market. She was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed,” Lauder said.

Breen's Executive History

Breen was originally from Minnesota and began her beauty career at her father’s drugstore—the Bonne Bell. At 13 years old she handled the store. 

In 1977 Breen joined ELC as a Clinique account executive and helped make the brand No.1 in department stores in the U.S. She later oversaw Origins and Aramis and was a driving force for the brands’ growth. 
 
Breen left ELC in 2003 to serve as senior vice president of cosmetics and fragrances for Federated Department Stores, which included Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. 
 
In 2005, she returned to ELC as president of the Estée Lauder brand and was named group president, of North America in 2009. Breen retired from that position in 2017. Throughout her career, she served as Chair of the Personal Care Products Council and has been seen as a driving force in the beauty industry. 
 
Breen is survived by her wife Laurie Dowley, who is planning a celebration of Breen’s life in late September.