NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2006--The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) announced today that Marshall Rose, a director since 1996, has notified the Company that he will retire from the Board of Directors, effective as of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on October 31, 2006.

Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman of the Board, stated, "Marshall has always been a great asset since joining the Board in 1996. We gratefully acknowledge his contributions to The Estée Lauder Companies, our stockholders and the Board."

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The Company's products are sold in over 130 countries and territories under well-recognized brand names, including Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, La Mer, Donna Karan, Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Michael Kors, Rodan + Fields, American Beauty, Flirt!, Good Skin(TM), Donald Trump, Grassroots, Sean John, Missoni and Daisy Fuentes.

CONTACT: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Media: Sally Susman, 212-572-4430 or Investor Relations: Dennis D'Andrea, 212-572-4384 SOURCE: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.