MANHATTAN — Evelyn Lauder — the cosmetics executive and breast cancer advocate who helped create the pink ribbon that has become the symbol of the struggle against the disease — died Saturday at her Manhattan home at 75.
Lauder, the founder of the pioneering Breast Cancer Research Foundation and senior vice president at Estee Lauder cosmetics, helped raise $350 million since 1993 to try to find a cure for the deadly ailment.
She died of complications from non-genetic ovarian cancer.
"The Breast Cancer Research Foundation mourns the loss of our visionary Founder and Chairman," the group said in a statement on its website.
"Her passionate action and determination to improve the health of women and families led her to establish BCRF. Her single-minded dedication to finding a cure for breast cancer never wavered.
"BCRF stands in tribute to her vision and will endure through the force of her commitment, which will live forever in our hearts."