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Bernard Arnault & family

Chairman And CEO, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton
Net Worth - $222.4 B

Bernard Arnault is the mastermind behind the LVMH empire, which encompasses 75 prestigious fashion and cosmetics brands, including renowned names like Louis Vuitton and Sephora.

LVMH made headlines in 2021 with its acquisition of American jeweler Tiffany & Co for a staggering $15.8 billion, marking one of the most significant luxury brand acquisitions to date.

Arnault's holding company, Agache, is the driving force behind Aglaé Ventures, a venture capital firm with investments in notable businesses such as Netflix and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.

With a humble beginning, Arnault kick-started his journey by utilizing $15 million from his family's construction business to purchase Christian Dior in 1984.

Arnault's profound influence extends to his family, as all five of his children are actively involved in the operations of LVMH. In a move to ensure equitable ownership, he proposed a reorganization of his holding company, Agache, in July 2022 to grant them equal stakes.

Arnault and LVMH also hold a substantial 40% stake in L Catterton, a private equity firm boasting over $30 billion in assets, with investments spanning renowned brands like Birkenstock and Equinox.

Arnault's journey began with a daring investment of $80 million, facilitated by a $15 million contribution from his own funds, to acquire Boussac Saint-Frères, a financially troubled textile company that owned the esteemed fashion house of Christian Dior.

Over the years, Arnault's strategic acquisitions have included prominent luxury brands like Fendi (2003), La Samaritaine department store (2010), Bulgari (2011), and Tiffany & Co. (2021). Additionally, he realized his vision with the establishment of Fondation Louis Vuitton (2014), a contemporary art museum nestled in Paris' Bois de Boulogne, designed by the acclaimed architect Frank Gehry. In recognition of his contributions, Arnault was honored as Commander of the Legion of Honour in 2007, one of France's highest distinctions.

In 2014, Arnault's daughter, Delphine Arnault, spearheaded the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, demonstrating the family's commitment to nurturing emerging talent by awarding one fashion design graduate with €300,000 to support their company's development.