Re Directorate

RNS Number:8226H
Colgate-Palmolive Co
31 July 2001


            COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY RE-ELECTS DELANO E. LEWIS
                           TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, July 31, 2001...The Colgate-Palmolive Company announced
today the re-election of Delano E. Lewis to its Board of Directors. Mr. Lewis
was a member of the Colgate Board from 1991 until 1999 when, under federal law,
his appointment as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa required that he give up his
corporate directorships.

Mr. Lewis served as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa from December 1999 until
July 13, 2001.

Prior to his service as Ambassador, Mr. Lewis was President and Chief Executive
Officer of National Public Radio. He also previously served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company, a Bell
Atlantic subsidiary serving the Washington, D.C. area.

Mr. Lewis has served on the boards of trustees of Catholic University, Mount
Vernon College, the United Negro College Fund and the Capital Children's Museum,
and is the past president of The Greater Washington Board of Trade. He also has
served on the boards of directors of Eastman Kodak Co., Halliburton and Black
Entertainment Television (BET).

Born in Arkansas City, Kansas, Mr. Lewis received a Bachelor of Arts degree in
political science and history from the University of Kansas in 1960. He was
awarded his law degree from Washburn School of Law in 1963.

Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Lewis served as an attorney for
the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1965, he joined the Office of Analysis &
Advice of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. From 1966 to 1969,
he served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Africa, holding positions of Associate
Director in Nigeria and Country Director in Uganda.

Mr. Lewis and his wife Gayle have four sons and 10 grandchildren.

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused
on Oral Care, Personal Care, Household Surface Care, Fabric Care and Pet
Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories
around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate,
Palmolive, Mennen Speed Stick, Irish Spring, Kolynos, Ajax, Soupline, Suavitel
and Fab, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet pet foods.