EXHIBIT 12

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND

PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

(Dollars in Millions)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
Earnings:
Income before income taxes	$	1,566.1
Add:
Interest on indebtedness and amortization of debt expense and discount or premium		91.1
Portion of rents representative of interest factor		28.3
Less:
Gain on equity investments		(4.0	)
Income as adjusted	$	1,681.5
Fixed Charges:
Interest on indebtedness and amortization of debt expense and discount or premium	$	91.1
Portion of rents representative of interest factor		28.3
Capitalized interest		1.5
Total fixed charges	$	120.9
Preferred Dividends:
Dividends on Preference Stock	$	24.7
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		13.9
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends		11.5