A Faint Political Odor: Ron Lauder (#280)

Ron Lauder: 48, New York, N.Y. $63,056. Party: R

By L.J. Davis

Son of (and heir to) Estee Lauder, Ron Lauder received an estimated $205 million in stock--tax-free--when Estée Lauder Co. recently restructured. Lauder is, however, $209 million in debt--money that has largely gone to expand his enormous art collection and subsidize his lifestyle, which includes day trips (via Concorde) to Europe.

A political dabbler, Lauder ran unsuccessfully for mayor of New York in 1989; his $14 million in campaign expenditures translated to $350 per vote he received. He also served as ambassador to Austria from 1986 to 1987. Shortly after Lauder finished his tenure, Ted Koppel asked him if he knew that some considered him a laughingstock as an ambassador. "Thank you," relplied Lauder.

Lauder undoubtedly wants to make usre that securities laws remain such that motherly multimillion-dollar stock gifts can stay tax-free. And given his mother's age (87), he would surely like to see estate taxes cut.