Bernard Arnault & family

$145.94 B

Ranked #9 in World

About Bernard Arnault & family

French billionaire Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault, with a net worth of US$182.1 billion as of January 12, 2024, is a prominent businessman, investor, and art collector. Educated at École Polytechnique and experienced in luxury goods management, Arnault transformed LVMH into a leading luxury group. His investments span across various industries, including tech firms and yacht companies, and his art patronage is renowned. Despite controversies, such as applying for Belgian citizenship, Arnault emphasizes French heritage and independence within his brands.

Born

March 05, 1949

Age

77 years

Source Of Wealth

LVMH

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

France

Residence

Paris

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Ecole Polytechnique de Paris

Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault was born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France. Raised in a strict Catholic-Auvergne style by his devoutly Catholic grandmother, he attended elite Catholic schools and took classical piano lessons as a child. Arnault graduated from the École Polytechnique, France's leading engineering school, in 1971.

Bernard Arnault & family: Family

Arnault has been married twice. His first marriage was to Anne Dewavrin from 1973 to 1990, and his second marriage is to Hélène Mercier, whom he married in 1991. He has five children: Delphine, Antoine, Alexandre, Frédéric, and Jean. All five children hold official roles in brands controlled by Arnault, along with his niece Stephanie Watine Arnault.

Bernard Arnault & family: Career Highlights

Arnault started his career at Ferret-Savinel, his father's company, in 1971. He became president of Ferret-Savinel from 1978 to 1984. In 1984, he acquired Financière Agache, a luxury goods company, and became its CEO. Arnault led the acquisition of Boussac Saint-Frères, which included Christian Dior, Le Bon Marché, Conforama, and Peaudouce. He restructured Boussac Saint-Frères, laying off 9,000 workers and selling most of its assets, keeping only Christian Dior and Le Bon Marché.

Bernard Arnault & family: Companies

Arnault is the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), one of the largest luxury groups in the world. He co-founded LVMH in 1987 with Alain Chevalier and Henry Racamier and gained control of the company in 1989. Arnault has led LVMH's expansion and growth, acquiring numerous luxury brands, including Céline, Berluti, Kenzo, Guerlain, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Sephora, Thomas Pink, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, DKNY, and La Samaritaine.

Bernard Arnault & family: Major Achievements

Arnault has transformed LVMH into a global luxury powerhouse, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world. He has also made significant investments in various web companies, including Boo.com, Libertysurf, and Zebank. Arnault invested in Netflix in 1999 and acquired Château Cheval Blanc in 1998, later adding it to LVMH's wine property Château d'Yquem.

He entered the yacht business in 2008, acquiring Princess Yachts and Royal van Lent. In 2011, Arnault acquired Bulgari and established LCapitalAsia. He entered into a joint venture with Marco De Vincenzo in 2014, taking a minority stake in the firm. Arnault acquired Christian Dior haute couture, leather, both men's and women's ready-to-wear, and footwear lines in 2017, integrating the entire brand within LVMH. He completed the acquisition of Tiffany & Co. in 2021.

Bernard Arnault & family: Awards & Achievements

Arnault has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the fashion and luxury industries. These include the Grand Cross of the Légion d'Honneur (France), Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France), Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy), Medal of Pushkin (Russia), Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (UK), The Woodrow Wilson Award for Global Corporate Citizenship, and The Museum of Modern Art's David Rockefeller Award.

Bernard Arnault & family: Personal Life & Legacy

Arnault is known for his dedication to work and his passion for art. He has a significant art collection, including works by Picasso, Yves Klein, Henry Moore, and Andy Warhol. Arnault has established LVMH as a patron of art in France, creating the LVMH Young Fashion Designer competition and supporting various art initiatives. He founded the Louis Vuitton Foundation, dedicated to contemporary art, designed by Frank Gehry.

Bernard Arnault & family: Trivia

Arnault became the richest person in fashion in 1999, surpassing Zara's Amancio Ortega. He established holding companies Pilinvest and Protectinvest to safeguard LVMH's integrity and family control. Arnault decentralized LVMH's brands, allowing them to maintain their independence and history. He emphasizes the balance between timelessness and modernity in successful brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior. Arnault previously owned the converted research vessel Amadeus and currently owns the yacht Symphony.

He switched to renting private aircraft for personal and business flights after his private jet was tracked online. Arnault plays tennis weekly, watches his weight, and works continually. He supported Emmanuel Macron in the 2017 French presidential election.

Wealth History

Timeline

March 5, 1949

Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault is born in Roubaix, France.

1971

Graduates from École Polytechnique and begins working for his father's company, Ferret-Savinel.

1978

Becomes president of Ferret-Savinel.

1984

Acquires the Financière Agache, a luxury goods company, and wins the bidding war for Boussac Saint-Frères.

1987

Forms LVMH with Alain Chevalier and Henry Racamier.

1989

Gains control of 43.5% of LVMH's shares and 35% of its voting rights, becoming the largest shareholder.

2007

Acquires 10.69% of Carrefour, France's largest supermarket retailer.

2008

Enters the yacht business, buying Princess Yachts and Royal van Lent.

2011

Acquires 50.4% of family-owned shares of the Italian jeweler Bulgari.

2014

Enters into a joint venture with the Italian fashion brand Marco De Vincenzo, taking a 45% stake.

2016

Sells DKNY to G-III Apparel Group.

2017

Acquires Christian Dior haute couture, leather, both men's and women's ready-to-wear, and footwear lines, integrating the entire brand within LVMH.

2019

Plans to acquire Tiffany & Co. for approximately US$16.2 billion, but the deal falls through due to disagreements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020

Reaches an agreement to acquire Tiffany & Co. at a slightly reduced price of nearly $16 billion.

January 2021

Completes the purchase of Tiffany.

February 2023

Becomes the chief executive officer of Dior.

Bernard Arnault & family : FAQs

What is Bernard Arnault's current net worth?

Bernard Arnault's current net worth is $145.94 billion.

What is Bernard Arnault's current global rank among billionaires?

Bernard Arnault holds the 9th position globally among billionaires.

What is Bernard Arnault's current ranking within the France?

Bernard Arnault holds the 1st position in France.

What was the change in Bernard Arnault's net worth compared to the previous year?

Bernard Arnault's net worth decreased by 48.99 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 194.94 billion dollars.

What are Bernard Arnault's main sources of wealth?

Bernard Arnault's main source of income comes from LVMH.

In which industry does Bernard Arnault primarily operate?

Bernard Arnault is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

What is Bernard Arnault educational background?

Bernard Arnault holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Ecole Polytechnique de Paris.

How old is Bernard Arnault?

Bernard Arnault is 77 years old.

How many children does Bernard Arnault have?

Bernard Arnault has 5 children.

What major fashion brands has LVMH under Bernard Arnault acquired over the years?

Under Bernard Arnault, LVMH has acquired luxury brands such as Céline, Berluti, Kenzo, Guerlain, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Sephora, Thomas Pink, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, DKNY, and La Samaritaine.

How has Bernard Arnault contributed to the art world in France?

Bernard Arnault established the LVMH Young Fashion Designer competition, supported art initiatives, and founded the Louis Vuitton Foundation for contemporary art in France.

When did Bernard Arnault become the richest person in fashion, and how has he secured family control over LVMH?

Bernard Arnault became the richest person in fashion in 1999 and has secured family control over LVMH with holding companies Pilinvest and Protectinvest.

What steps did Bernard Arnault take in response to the criticism of his transportation and private jet use?

Bernard Arnault switched to renting private aircraft for personal and business flights after his private jet was tracked online.