Billionaire Estee Lauder Heir Set To Fetch $180 Million for Oceanfront Palm Beach Plot in Record-Breaking Deal

The heir to the Estée Lauder fortune could soon add $178 million to his estimated $1.8 billion fortune when he sells an oceanfront plot in Palm Beach, FL, for what is expected to be a record-breaking sum.

William Lauder, 64, is the grandson of beauty brand founders Estée and Joseph Lauder, and served as the executive chairman of Estée Lauder Cos. until October 2024.

After stepping down from the day-to-day running of the company, William Lauder is now turning his attention to other lucrative endeavors—namely the sale of an expansive plot of oceanfront land in Florida, which was once the site of two expansive homes.

According to data records, Lauder purchased the 1-acre property for $25.4 million in 2020. A year later, he forked over an undisclosed sum for the second property, which spans 1.8 acres.

Both plots were occupied by homes, which Lauder razed before putting the vacant lot on the market for $200 million in 2023. He later lowered the price to $177.8 million.

Now, he has managed to “strike a deal” to sell the land for $178 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. If it goes through, it would set a new sale record for Palm Beach. The honor was previously held by car dealership owner Michael Catanucci, who bought a 1.6-acre plot in the area for around $170 million in 2023.

It is unclear who the buyer is. However, the listing agent is none other than reality TV star and broker Ryan Serhant, according to Bravo TV.

The outlet claimed that Serhant shared a message about the pricey sale, writing: “Sold and closed the most expensive home of my entire career today for just under $200 [million].

“And I did the deal over the phone. Wire hit while I was in the air to visit [Serhant Miami] to launch our sales center for Mercedes. … Everyone was clapping, even the pilots. What. Is. Life.”  

Fully built properties in the Palm Beach area are currently on the market for a range of $1 million to $99 million.

Lauder boasts an impressive property portfolio, including lavish homes across the country.

Not long after putting his oceanfront land on the market in 2023, he spent a jaw-dropping $155 million on a home that was previously owned by conservative TV host Rush Limbaugh.

The property, which was put on the market by Limbaugh’s widow, Kathryn, is also located in Palm Beach—and was owned by the political commentator for more than 20 years before his death in 2021.

Then there are Lauder’s properties in New York.

In 2008, he purchased a gorgeous six-bedroom, six-bathroom property in the Big Apple for $27.5 million.

The top-floor abode measures 5,500 square feet and features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two powder rooms.

In 2019, Lauder listed the property for $45 million. He reduced the price to $39 million before removing the listing in 2021.

He also holds the keys to another Big Apple property, which he purchased for $23.5 million in 2017.

That residence boasts high ceilings, herringbone-patterned floors, three wood-burning fireplaces, and views of Central Park.