Bernard Arnault

Bernard Arnault
Arnault in 2017
Born
Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault

(1948-03-05) 5 March 1948 (age 76)
Roubaix, France
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Businessperson
  • Media proprietor
  • Art collector
Known for
  • Founding LVMH
  • Being the richest person in the world
Title
Spouses
  • Anne Dewavrin
    (m. 1978; div. 1990)
  • Hélène Mercier
    (m. 1991)
Children5, including Delphine, Antoine and Frédéric
HonorsGrand Cross of the Legion of Honour (2023)[1]

Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault (French: [bɛʁnaʁ ʒɑ̃ etjɛn aʁno]; born 5 March 1948) is a French businessman, investor and art collector.[2][3] He is the founder, chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods company. Arnault is the richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$233 billion as of April 2024, according to Forbes.[4]

Arnault was raised in a devoutly Catholic household, with a strong inclination towards music and education. He pursued engineering at École polytechnique, graduating in 1971. He began his career in his father's company, Ferret-Savinel, shifting its focus to real estate, which laid the groundwork for his future career in the luxury sector.

Arnault's entry into the luxury goods market was marked by his strategic acquisition of the financially-struggling textile and retail conglomerate Boussac Saint-Frères in 1984, which included the prestigious fashion house Christian Dior. His aggressive business strategies earned him the nickname "The Terminator," as he revitalized Dior and sold off other assets for profit. In 1987, he played a key role in the creation of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), a global company in luxury goods, by merging Louis Vuitton with Moët Hennessy. Through a series of strategic acquisitions and investments, Arnault changed LVMH into a major company in the luxury industry, overseeing significant growth and expansion into various sectors, including fashion, jewelry, watches, and wine.

Arnault's influence extends beyond LVMH, with investments in web companies and philanthropic endeavors, particularly in the arts. He has been involved in notable real estate and yacht ventures. His leadership has led to LVMH becoming the largest company by market capitalization in the eurozone. Despite controversies, including his attempt to become a Belgian citizen, Arnault's business acumen have solidified his status as a key figure in the global luxury market.

  1. ^ "Décret du 29 décembre 2023 portant élévation aux dignités de grand'croix et de grand officier de l'ordre national de la Légion d'honneur" Archived 31 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine, www.legifrance.gouv.fr, 31 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Bernard Arnault & family". Forbes. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  3. ^ Galloni, Alessandra (5 March 2009). "Being LVMH's Bernard Arnault". WSJ. Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 March 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  4. ^ "The Real-Time Billionaires List". Forbes. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.

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