Bernard Arnault Net Worth(2024)
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Bernard Arnault net worth: Bernard Arnault is a billionaire businessman and art collector who is worth a staggering $150.5 billion.
He serves as LVMH’s (LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) chairman and CEO, making it the biggest manufacturer of luxury goods.
Arnault was born in Roubaix, France. His mother, Marie Gerard Arnault, née Schneider, ran a knitting store, and his father, Jean Leon Arnault, was a civil engineer.
He has two older brothers and one younger sister.
But wait, let me tell you something…
Arnault finished high school at the Maxence Van der Meersch High School in Roubaix before going to the ESCP Europe business school in Paris.
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He began working for Ferret-Savinel, a construction company, in 1971.
With a net worth of $150.5 billion as of 2024, Arnault is among the wealthiest people on the planet.
He’s also one of the wealthiest people in Europe and the richest person in France.
Today, we’re going to be diving deep into Bernard’s career as we also look at:
It’s an interesting ride, and we found ourselves super inspired, as well!
Ready for some motivation?
Let’s dive in!
Who Is Bernard Arnault?
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<a href="https://www.insiderbusinessschool.com"><img src="https://www.insiderbusinessschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bernard-Arnault-Net-Worth01.webp" alt="Bernard Arnault" ></a>| Net Worth: 150.5 Billion USD |
| Date of Birth: 5 March 1949 75 yrs old |
| Source of Wealth: Business Man |
| Nationality: Roubaix, France |
| Birth Name: Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault |
| Spouse: Anne Dewavrin, Hélène Mercier |
| Children: Alexandre Arnault, Delphine Arnault and Antoine Arnault |
The biggest luxury items company in the world, LVMH Mot Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, is led by Bernard Arnault as chairman and CEO.
With a net worth of more than $150.5 billion, he’s also the richest person in France and one of the richest people in the world.
Arnault was born in 1949 into a family of Belgian industrialists. His father, Jean Arnault, owned a construction company, Ferret-Savinel.
Bernard Arnault began his career working for his father’s company before taking over as CEO in 1984.
Ferret-Savinel became one of the biggest construction companies in France when Arnault was in charge.
Arnault controlled Financiere Agache, which owned Christie’s auction house and a valuable luxury brand.
But here’s the kicker…
This was the beginning of Arnault’s foray into the luxury goods industry.
Who Is Bernard Arnault?
Bernard Arnault is a French billionaire businessman and art collector. He’s also the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the biggest manufacturer of luxury goods in the world.
He has two older brothers and one younger sister.
Arnault went to high school in Roubaix and graduated from Maxence Van der Meersch. He then went to ESCP Europe business school in Paris.
In 1971, he joined his family’s construction business, Ferret-Savinel.
Two years later, Bernard talked his father into buying Financière Agache, the company that owned Christian Dior and was renamed LVMH. This was an investment in the luxury brands business.
After Mot Hennessy and Louis Vuitton joined forces in 1987, Bernard setup LVMH brands, a group of high-end companies.
According to market rumors, the Louis Vuitton group allegedly tried to buy LVMH stock to form a “blocking minority.”
This is crazy…
In 1984, Arnault acquired the textile company Le Bon Marché. In 1987, he became the majority shareholder of LVMH and chairman and CEO of the company in 1988.
In the same year, he worked with French fashion designer Christian Lacroix to help promote the business’s line of high-end clothes.
He liquidated every corporation division and used the funds to buy a majority interest in LVMH.
Other purchases include Bulgari, TAG Heuer, and Fendi.
Arnault has been married three times. Arnault married Anne Dewavrin, with whom he had three children: Delphine, Antoine, and Alexandre.
You’re almost there—but you’re not quite done yet…
His second marriage was to Hélène Mercier, a Canadian pianist; they have two children: François-Henri and Jean.
His third marriage is to Salma Hayek, an actress, and producer; they have one child: Valentina Paloma Pinault.
How Old Is Bernard Arnault
Born in 1949 in Roubaix, France., Bernard Arnault is 75 years old.
Bernard Arnault Height & Weight
Bernard Arnault’s height is 6 ft 1 in or 1.85 meters (185cm) tall. Other celebs or business people that are also 1.85 meters or 6 ft 1 inch include Keanu Reeves, John Cena, and Heath Ledger.
Other Quick Facts:
How Much Is Bernard Arnault Worth?
Bernard Arnault is a French billionaire businessman and art collector. He is the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the biggest manufacturer of luxury goods in the world.
His net worth is an estimated $150.5 billion, making him the richest person in fashion and one of the wealthiest people in the world.
But wait – there’s more…
He acquired several well-known fashion brands, including Givenchy, Fendi, and Marc Jacobs.
In 1987, he formed LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton), a conglomerate of luxury brands that today includes over 60 companies.
Bernard Arnault Net Worth Year By Year
| Year | $ Net Worth |
| 2013 | $29 Billion |
| 2014 | $33.5 Billion |
| 2015 | $37.2 Billion |
| 2016 | $34 Billion |
| 2017 | $41.5 Billion |
| 2018 | $72 Billion |
| 2019 | $76 Billion |
| 2020 | $76 Billion |
| 2021 | $150 Billion |
| 2022 | $150 Billion |
Bernard Arnault Investments
In the early 1980s, Arnault started investing when he bought stock in companies like LVMH.
In 1984, he started his own holding company called Groupe Arnault and started buying shares in many French companies.
Over the next 20 years, Arnault put his money into some of the most well-known luxury brands in the world, like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Moet & Chandon.
His holdings include a majority stake in LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods group.
It gets better…
In recent years, Arnault has invested in more than luxury goods. For example, he has big stakes in tech companies like Uber and Airbnb.
He is also a shareholder in the e-commerce platform Alibaba.
Arnault is widely considered one of the world’s most successful investors, with an estimated net worth of over $150.5 billion.
The Young Bernard Arnault
When he was young, Bernard Arnault was not interested in fashion or luxury goods. He was more interested in engineering and business.
But after he went to the Elite School of Business, he became interested in the family business, which at the time was textiles.
In 1984, he took over the company from his father and transformed it into today’s luxury empire.
Under his direction, LVMH bought some of the most famous brands in the world, like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Fendi.
Today…
One of the most wealthy individuals in the world, Bernard Arnault, does have a net worth of more than $150.5 billion.
He is a major force in the global fashion industry, and his companies continue to set the trends for luxury goods.
Bernard Arnault High School
Bernard Arnault grew up in Roubaix and attended the local Catholic school. He then attended the Lycee Carnot secondary school in Lille.
In 1967, he entered the Elite School of Engineers (ESIEE), where he studied engineering.
Bernard Arnault University
After High School, Bernard Arnault’s university life was not very typical.
He attended the prestigious École Polytechnique, from which he graduated with a degree in engineering.
Yet, he did not stay long in the engineering field. Instead, he decided to go into business, and this is where his career took off.
He started out working for his family’s business but soon struck out on his own.
Bernard Arnault Family & Relationships
Bernard Arnault Partners: Anne Dewavrin (m. 1973; div. 1990), Hélène Mercier (m. 1991)
Bernard Arnault Children: Antoine Arnault, Delphine Arnault, Frédéric Arnault, Alexandre Arnault. Jean Arnault
Bernard Arnault Mum: Marie-Josèphe Savinel
Bernard Arnault Dad: Jean Arnault
Bernard Arnault Sister: Dominique Watine-Arnault
Arnault is married to French businesswoman Hélène Mercier, with whom he has five children.
His son Antoine serves as CEO of LVMH’s watch and jewelry division. Arnault’s daughter Delphine is the head of Dior Couture.
Another son, Alexandre, serves as deputy chairman of LVMH. Arnault also has a grandchild from his first marriage, who he didn’t raise.
Arnault has been described as a ” hands-on father, “and he is known to be close to his children.
How can you beat that?
He has said that he wants them to be involved in the family business but that they will have to ” earn their stripes. “
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After going to the Elite Lycee Hotelier school in Paris, he got his first job at Ferret-Savinel, which was his father’s business.
He later joined the family business full-time and took over as CEO in 1984.
Under Arnault’s wings, LVMH has become the largest company of luxury goods in the world.
More than 60 brands, including Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon, Hennessy, Sephora, and others, are now part of the conglomerate.
Arnault is also a major art collector and has amassed one of the largest private collections in the world.
We’re not through yet…
He has helped promote modern artists and set up the Paris-based Louis Vuitton Foundation for Contemporary Art.
The foundation is home to one of the world’s largest 20th and 21st-century art collections.
Arnault is named the richest person in fashion by Forbes, with a net worth of $150.5 billion
Bernard Arnault Scandals & Controversies
Bernard Arnault has been embroiled in many scandals and controversies over the years.
Among the most notable ones are these:
- In 1991, Arnault was charged with insider trading because he sold LVMH shares right before the company said its results were bad. In the end, the charges were dropped.
- In 1996, Arnault was accused of using inside information to buy shares in Hermès International, a rival luxury goods company.
The accusations were never proven, and Arnault sold his stake in Hermès.
In 2003, the French government accused Arnault of tax evasion. He was later cleared of all charges.
In 2012, Arnault was accused of trying to destabilize the government of François Hollande, France’s president at the time.
The accusation was made by Hollande’s socialist party but was never proven.
In 2015, Arnault was one of many business leaders accused of dodging taxes using offshore accounts.
The French government made the accusations, but Arnault denied any wrongdoing.
In 2019, Arnault was one of many French billionaires that protesters targeted during the Yellow Vests movement.
The protesters accused him and other wealthy people of not agreeing to pay their fair amount of taxes.
Woah!
How Bernard Arnault Spends His Money
As one of the wealthiest people in the world, Bernard Arnault has a lot of money to spend. And he doesn’t hesitate to do so, often making headlines for his lavish purchases.
Some of his most notable recent purchases include an $80 million yacht, a $450 million stake in Tiffany & Co., and a $100 million chateau in France.
He has also become involved in the yacht business, but Arnault is not just a big spender but also a savvy investor.
Besides his luxury goods companies…
…LVMH and Hermès, he has stakes in many other businesses, including the parent company of Louis Vuitton.
So how does Arnault make and spend his money?
Here is a look at the billionaire’s wealth.
Bernard Arnault is a French billionaire and the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company.
He has an estimated net worth of $150.5 billion, and here are his staggering personal properties!
Bernard Arnault Houses
As one of the wealthiest people in the world, Bernard Arnault can afford to live in some of the most luxurious homes.
He owns properties all over the world, including France, Italy, and the United States.
In France, Arnault owns a chateau in Normandy that is worth an estimated $70 million.
The property has a main building, a guest house, stables, and a lot of lands where you can ride horses and do other things.
Arnault also has a home in Italy near Lake Como. This property is worth an estimated $30 million and includes the main house, guesthouse, pool, and tennis court.
Seriously…
Arnault also owns a home in New York City that is worth an estimated $20 million. The property includes a penthouse apartment and a townhouse.
No matter where he is in the world, Bernard Arnault always has a place to call home.
His homes are luxurious and worth millions of dollars, but they also provide him with a sense of comfort and security.
Bernard Arnault Cars
Arnault has been a big fan of cars for many years, and he owns a large collection of them.
He owns a Ferrari 250 GTO, Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, and Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing.
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Arnault is also a big fan of motorbikes and owns a large collection of them.
Some of the most expensive and rare motorcycles in the world, like…
Arnault is a very passionate collector of cars and motorbikes and takes great pride in his collections.
He has said that…
He enjoys driving all his cars and motorbikes, and each one has a special place in his heart.
Bernard Arnault Aeroplanes
Also to his love of cars and motorbikes, Arnault is also a passionate collector of airplanes.
His collection includes some of the rarest and most expensive airplanes, such as:
He often gives tours of his collections to VIP guests, and he has even been known to take guests for rides in his airplanes.
We can only wish!
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In 2012, Bernard Arnault pledged €200 million to support the Louvre Museum in Paris, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
With the gift, an endowment fund was established to aid in funding the museum’s future expansion plans.
It’s the largest donation ever made by an individual to the Louvre.
Arnault is also a major donor to the Pompidou Centre in Paris, one of the world’s leading contemporary art museums.
In 2006, he donated €20 million to the Centre, which was used to create a new gallery dedicated to 21st-century art.
That’s Crazy…
He has also given millions of euros to France’s Opera de Paris, Palais Garnier, and Musée d’Orsay, among other cultural institutions.
Arnault has given money to many well-known cultural organizations outside of France. These include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Academy of Arts.
Fun Facts About Bernard Arnault
He’s currently ranked as one of the wealthiest businessmen with a net worth of over $150.5 billion!
Well, I know you have read that already…
But here are Some fun facts about Arnault that you never knew before:
5 Lessons We Can Learn For Financial Freedom From Bernard Arnault
- Invest in what you love
- Have a long-term vision
- Be patient and disciplined
- Stay focused
- Continuously learn and evolve
Learning new things and evolving is one of the most crucial things you can do to achieve financial freedom. Bernard Arnault is a perfect example of this.
Top 3 Quotes From Bernard Arnault
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bernard Arnault’s net worth?
It’s estimated that Bernard Arnault is worth $150.5 billion. Besides being among the most wealthy individuals in the world, he is also the richest man on the planet.
How did Bernard Arnault make his money?
Bernard Arnault has made a lot of money by making smart investments and buying smart businesses.
What companies does Bernard Arnault own?
Arnault owns a piece of Christian Dior, Hermès, and The New York Times Company, as well as LVMH, which is the largest luxury goods company in the world.
Where does Bernard Arnault live?
Bernard Arnault resides in a lavish apartment in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.
Conclusion: Bernard Arnault’s Net Worth
So, there you have it. I think you’ll agree that Bernard Arnault’s wealth is a direct result of his experience and positive approach.
We hope you enjoyed reading about his amazing rise to becoming a tech billionaire and that you learned something from it.
We’re confident that both his successes and failures can teach us a lot.
I hope this article was fun for you to read. You might also be interested in Billie Eilish’s net worth, among many other artists and entrepreneurs!
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