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Line 1: {{Short description\|French businessman (born ~~1948~~1949)}} {{pp\|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2018}} Line 11: \| alma_mater = {{hlist\|[[École polytechnique]]}} \| occupation = {{hlist\|Businessperson\|Media proprietor\|Art collector}} \| title = {{Unbulleted_list\|Chairman and CEO, [[LVMH]]\|Chairman, [[~~Christian~~ Dior\|Christian Dior ~~skincare and perfume~~SE]]}} \| known_for = {{Unbulleted_list\|Founding [[LVMH]]~~\|Being the richest person in the world~~}} \| spouse = {{Unbulleted_list\|{{Marriage\|Anne Dewavrin\|1978\|1990\|end=divorced}}\|{{Marriage\|[[Hélène Mercier-Arnault\|Hélène Mercier]]\|1991}}}} \| children = 5, including [[Delphine Arnault\|Delphine]], [[Antoine Arnault\|Antoine]] and [[Frédéric Arnault\|Frédéric]] \| honors = Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour]] (2023)<ref name="GC">[https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000048734597 "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"] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231101819/https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000048734597 \|date=31 December 2023 }}, ''www.legifrance.gouv.fr'', 31 December 2023.</ref> }} '''Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault''' ({{IPA-\|fr\|bɛʁnaʁ ʒɑ̃ etjɛn aʁno\|lang}}; born 5 March 1949) is a French businessman, investor and art collector.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Bernard Arnault & family\|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/bernard-arnault\|work=[[Forbes]]\|access-date=23 August 2017\|archive-date=22 February 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222223704/http://www.forbes.com/profile/bernard-arnault/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Galloni \|first=Alessandra \|author-link=Alessandra Galloni \|url=http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/being-arnault \|title=Being LVMH's Bernard Arnault \|work=[[The Wall Street Journal\|WSJ. Magazine]] \|date=5 March 2009 \|access-date=31 May 2011 \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310040555/http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/being-arnault \|archive-date=10 March 2009}}</ref> He is the founder, chairman and [[Chief executive officer\|CEO]] of [[LVMH]], the world's largest [[luxury goods]] company. Arnault is <!-- Please change the URL in the source each time you update. -->[[The World's Billionaires\|~~the~~one ~~third~~of the richest ~~person~~individuals in the world]], with an estimated net worth of {{currency\|~~194~~199.7\|USD}}<!-- Please change the URL in the source each time you update. --> billion {{as of ~~14 June~~ \|2024\|09\|lc=y}}, according to ''[[Forbes]]''~~.<ref>~~ and {{~~cite magazine~~currency\|~~title=The~~208\|USD}} ~~Real-Time~~billion ~~Billionaires~~according ~~List:~~to ~~Bernard~~''[[Bloomberg ~~Arnault~~Billionaires ~~& family~~Index]]''.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.forbes.com/~~profile~~sites/~~bernard~~forbeswealthteam/article/the-~~arnault~~top-ten-richest-people-in-the-world/~~?sh~~\|title=~~4c74eb0566fa~~The Top 10 Richest People In The World (September 2024)\|~~magazine~~website=Forbes\|date=27 September 2024\|access-date=327 ~~June~~September 2024\|archive-date=131 ~~May~~August 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/~~20240513103847~~20240801213726/https://www.forbes.com/~~profile~~sites/~~bernard~~forbeswealthteam/article/the-~~arnault~~top-ten-richest-people-in-the-world/~~?sh=4c74eb0566fa~~\|url-status=live}}</ref> Arnault was raised in a devoutly Catholic household. He pursued ~~engineering~~[[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~~goods market. Arnault's entry into the luxury ~~goods market~~sector was marked by his strategic acquisition in 1984 of the financially-struggling textile and retail conglomerate Boussac Saint-Frères ~~in 1984~~, which included the prestigious fashion house [[Dior\|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 (an [[acronym]] for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), a global ~~company in~~ luxury goods company, by merging [[Louis Vuitton]] with Moët Hennessy. Through a series of strategic acquisitions and investments, Arnault ~~changed~~built LVMH into a ~~major~~leading 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~~has solidified his status as a key figure in the global luxury market. == Early life and education == Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault was born on 5 March 1949 in [[Roubaix]].<ref name="LVMH bio">{{cite web \|title=Bernard Arnault: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer \|url=https://www.lvmh.com/group/about-lvmh/governance/executive-committee/bernard-arnault/ \|website=LVMH \|access-date=3 February 2020 \|archive-date=6 May 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506044604/https://www.lvmh.com/group/about-lvmh/governance/executive-committee/bernard-arnault/ \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="France24">{{cite news \|title=Bernard Arnault: France's 'wolf-in-cashmere' billionaire \|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200122-bernard-arnault-france-s-wolf-in-cashmere-billionaire \|access-date=23 April 2020 \|work=France24 \|date=22 January 2020 \|archive-date=11 April 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411175918/https://www.france24.com/en/20200122-bernard-arnault-france-s-wolf-in-cashmere-billionaire \|url-status=live }}</ref> His mother, pianist Marie-Josèphe Savinel, daughter of Étienne Savinel, had a "fascination for [[Dior]] ~~skincare and perfume~~".<ref ~~{{Citation needed\|date~~name=~~December~~"France24" ~~2022}}~~/> His father, manufacturer Jean Léon Arnault, a graduate of [[École Centrale Paris]], owned the civil engineering company Ferret-Savinel.<ref name="France24"/> Raised in a "strict Catholic-Auvergne" style by his devoutly Catholic grandmother, Arnault took classical piano lessons as a child and ~~attended~~was ~~elite~~educated at Catholic schools.,<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.leadersleague.com/en/news/fortunes-2021-bernard-arnault-founder-lvmh \|title=Fortunes 2021: Bernard Arnault, Founder, LVMH \|publisher=Leaders League \|accessdate=2023-06-03 \|archive-date=3 June 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603222613/https://www.leadersleague.com/en/news/fortunes-2021-bernard-arnault-founder-lvmh \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/354763/worlds-richest-family-speculation-looms-about-lmvh-line-of-succession \|title=World's richest family: Speculation looms about LMVH line of succession \|publisher=[[The Brussels Times]] \|accessdate=2023-06-03 \|archive-date=3 June 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603222613/https://www.brusselstimes.com/354763/worlds-richest-family-speculation-looms-about-lmvh-line-of-succession \|url-status=live }}</ref> the Lycée Maxence Van Der Meersch in Roubaix and the [[Lycée Faidherbe]] in [[Lille]],<ref name="La Voix du Nord">{{cite news \|title=Roubaix Quand Bernard Arnault était lycéen à Van-Der-Meersch \|url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/379762/article/2018-05-19/quand-bernard-arnault-etait-lyceen-van-der-meersch \|access-date=23 April 2020 \|work=La Voix du Nord \|date=19 May 2018 \|archive-date=17 July 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717114427/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/379762/article/2018-05-19/quand-bernard-arnault-etait-lyceen-van-der-meersch \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NYT_2007">{{cite news\|date=23 November 2007\|title=Bernard Arnault, chairman, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton\|work=[[The New York Times]]\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/style/20iht-web-1120-luxarnault.8408399.html\|access-date=23 April 2021\|archive-date=17 July 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717140237/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/style/20iht-web-1120-luxarnault.8408399.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> which takes [[boarding school\|boarders]] and [[Classe préparatoire aux grandes écoles\|prepares them for the ''grandes écoles''.]]<ref>"[http://www.faidherbe.org/la-pension/accueil-internat L'internat]", Lycée Faidherbe, accessed October 2, 2016.</ref> In 1971, he graduated from the [[École Polytechnique]], France's leading engineering school.<ref name="France24"/> == Career== Arnault was educated at the Lycée Maxence Van Der Meersch in Roubaix and the [[Lycée Faidherbe]] in [[Lille]].<ref name="La Voix du Nord">{{cite news \|title=Roubaix Quand Bernard Arnault était lycéen à Van-Der-Meersch \|url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/379762/article/2018-05-19/quand-bernard-arnault-etait-lyceen-van-der-meersch \|access-date=23 April 2020 \|work=La Voix du Nord \|date=19 May 2018 \|archive-date=17 July 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717114427/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/379762/article/2018-05-19/quand-bernard-arnault-etait-lyceen-van-der-meersch \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NYT_2007">{{cite news\|date=23 November 2007\|title=Bernard Arnault, chairman, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton\|work=[[The New York Times]]\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/style/20iht-web-1120-luxarnault.8408399.html\|access-date=23 April 2021\|archive-date=17 July 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717140237/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/style/20iht-web-1120-luxarnault.8408399.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1971, hesoon ~~graduated~~after ~~from~~his ~~the [[École Polytechnique]], France's leading engineering school~~graduation, ~~and~~Arnault began work for his father's company.<ref name="France24"/> Three years later, after he convinced his father to shift the focus of the company to real estate, Ferret-Savinel sold the industrial construction division and was renamed Ferinel. Following the acquisition of a textile company and relocation of its headquarters, the company renamed the real estate branch to the George V Group. The real estate assets were later sold to Compagnie Générale des Eaux (CGE), eventually becoming [[Nexity]].{{cn\|date=June 2024}} === 1971–1987: Professional start === Line 45 ⟶ 46: In January 1989, he spent another $500 million to gain control of a total of 43.5% of LVMH's shares and 35% of its voting rights, thus reaching the "blocking minority" that he needed to stop the dismantlement of the LVMH group.<ref name=":2" /> He then turned on Racamier, stripped him of his power, and ousted him from the board of directors.<ref name=":0" /> On 13 January 1989, he was unanimously elected chairman of the executive management board.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news \|last=Greenhouse \|first=Steven \|date=1989-12-17 \|title=A LUXURY FIGHT TO THE FINISH \|language=en-US \|work=The New York Times \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/17/magazine/a-luxury-fight-to-the-finish.html \|url-status=live \|access-date=2023-04-13 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717144118/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/17/magazine/a-luxury-fight-to-the-finish.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm \|archive-date=17 July 2020 \|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> === 1989–2001: LVMH's ~~Initial~~initial expansion and growth === After assuming leadership, Arnault led the company through an ambitious development plan, transforming it into one of the largest luxury groups in the world, alongside Swiss luxury giant [[Richemont]] and French-based [[Kering]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web\|date=2021-03-05\|title=Bernard Arnault, a French billionaire businessman and art collector\|url=https://dailymi.com/lifestyle/bernard-arnault-a-french-billionaire-businessman-and-art-collector/\|access-date=2021-05-18\|website=Dailymi\|language=en-US\|archive-date=18 May 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518182310/https://dailymi.com/lifestyle/bernard-arnault-a-french-billionaire-businessman-and-art-collector/\|url-status=dead}}</ref> In eleven years, annual sales and profit rose by a factor of 5, and the [[market capitalization\|market value]] of LVMH increased by a factor of 15. In July 1988, Arnault acquired [[Céline (brand)\|Céline]].<ref name=":4" /> That same year, he sponsored French fashion designer [[Christian Lacroix]] to advertise the company's luxury clothing line.<ref name=":2" /> LVMH acquired [[Berluti]] and [[Kenzo (brand)\|Kenzo]] in 1993, the same year Arnault bought out the French economic newspaper ''[[La Tribune]]''.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Neher \|first=Jacques \|last2= \|first2= \|date=1994-01-21 \|title=Intimacy Proves Too Much for Guinness, LVMH \|language=en-US \|work=The New York Times \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/21/business/worldbusiness/IHT-intimacy-proves-too-much-for-guinness-lvmh.html \|url-status=live \|access-date=2023-04-13 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927160330/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/21/business/worldbusiness/21iht-drink.html \|archive-date=27 September 2017 \|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> La Tribune never achieved the desired success, despite his 150 million euro{{citation needed\|reason=anachronism, Euro adopted first in 1995 by Spain ONLY\|date=October 2022}} investment, and he sold it in November 2007 to buy a different French economic newspaper, ''[[Les Échos (France)\|Les Échos]]'', for €240 million.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Fouché \|first=Gwladys \|date=2007-11-07 \|title=La Tribune splash attacks paper's owner \|language=en-GB \|work=The Guardian \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/nov/07/pressandpublishing \|url-status=live \|access-date=2023-04-13 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084834/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/nov/07/pressandpublishing \|archive-date=4 March 2016 \|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=VMH buys Les Echos from Pearson\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7080079.stm\|access-date=22 November 2014\|work=BBC\|date=5 November 2007\|archive-date=29 November 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129131951/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7080079.stm\|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1994, LVMH acquired the perfume firm [[Guerlain]].<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Connon \|first=Heather \|date=1994-04-29 \|title=Arnault expands perfume empire: LVMH buys controlling stake in \|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/arnault-expands-perfume-empire-lvmh-buys-controlling-stake-in-guerlain-1373310.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717170042/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/arnault-expands-perfume-empire-lvmh-buys-controlling-stake-in-guerlain-1373310.html \|archive-date=17 July 2020 \|access-date=2023-04-13 \|website=The Independent \|language=en}}</ref> In 1996, Arnault bought out [[Loewe, S.A.\|Loewe]],<ref>[https://archive.today/20130913141053/http://www.europolitics.info/lvmh-says-takes-control-of-spain-s-loewe-artr172336-5.html LVMH says takes control of Spain's Loewe], ''Europolitics'', 12 February 1996</ref> followed by [[Marc Jacobs]] and [[Sephora]] in 1997.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Edmondson \|first=Gail \|date=1997-11-10 \|title=Lvmh: Life Isn't All Champagne And Caviar \|language=en \|work=Bloomberg \|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1997-11-09/lvmh-life-isnt-all-champagne-and-caviar \|access-date=2023-04-13 \|archive-date=26 April 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426095538/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1997-11-09/lvmh-life-isnt-all-champagne-and-caviar \|url-status=live }}</ref> Five more brands were also integrated into the group: [[Thomas Pink]] in 1999, [[Emilio Pucci]] in 2000, and [[Fendi]], [[DKNY]], and [[La Samaritaine]] in 2001. In the 1990s, Arnault decided to develop a center in New York to manage LVMH's presence in the United States. He chose Christian de Portzamparreke to supervise this project.<ref>{{cite news \| first=Suzy \| last=Menkes \| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/30/style/30iht-fash.t_0.html \| title=Bernard Arnault: Man Behind the Steely Mask] \| newspaper=New York Times \| date=30 November 1999 \| access-date=31 January 2017 \| archive-date=5 March 2016 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305194113/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/30/style/30iht-fash.t_0.html \| url-status=live }}</ref> The result was the [[LVMH Tower]] that opened in December 1999.<ref>{{cite news \| first=Julie V. \| last=Iovine \| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/15/arts/designing-the-nouveau-building-on-the-block.html \| title=Designing The Nouveau Building On the Block \| newspaper=New York Times \| date=15 December 1998 \| access-date=31 January 2017 \| archive-date=22 May 2017 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522135039/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/15/arts/designing-the-nouveau-building-on-the-block.html \| url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, Arnault turned his eyes to [[Gucci]], an Italian leather goods company, which was run by [[Tom Ford]] and [[Domenico De Sole]]. He discreetly amassed a 5 percent stake in the company before being detected.<ref name=":0" /> Gucci responded hostilely and called it a "creeping takeover.". Arnault then upped his stake to 34.4 percent while insisting he wanted to be a supportive and unassertive stakeholder. De Sole proposed that in return for board representation, Arnault would stop increasing his stake in Gucci. However, Arnault rejected this proposal. De Sole discovered a loophole that allowed him to issue shares with only board approval, and for every share LVMH bought, he created more for his employees, thus diluting Arnault's stake. The fight dragged on until a settlement in September 2001. After the legal ruling, LVMH sold its shares and walked away with $700 million in profit.<ref name=":0" /> In 1998, with businessman [[Albert Frère]], Arnault purchased [[Château Cheval Blanc]] in a personal capacity. LVMH acquired Arnault's share in 2009<ref>{{Cite web\| last = Decanter\| title = LVMH buys 50% share in Chateau Cheval Blanc\| work = Decanter\| access-date = 2017-12-14\| date = 2009-08-14\| url = http://www.decanter.com/wine-news/lvmh-buys-50-share-in-chateau-cheval-blanc-66255/\| archive-date = 3 November 2019\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191103143604/https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/lvmh-buys-50-share-in-chateau-cheval-blanc-66255/\| url-status = live}}</ref> to add to the group's other wine property [[Château d'Yquem]]. Line 70 ⟶ 71: Under Arnault's leadership, LVMH has grown to become the largest company by market capitalization in the [[eurozone]],<ref>{{Cite web\|date=29 October 2020\|title=Tiffany Agrees To Accept Lower Price For Acquisition By LVMH\|url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/tiffany-agrees-to-accept-lower-price-for-acquisition-by-lvmh-1029739231\|access-date=29 October 2020\|publisher=Business Insider\|archive-date=9 October 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009165938/https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/tiffany-agrees-to-accept-lower-price-for-acquisition-by-lvmh-1029739231\|url-status=live}}</ref> with a record of 313 billion euros ($382 billion) as of May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA Unsponsored ADR (LVMUY : OTCMKTS) Stock Price & News – Google Finance\|url=https://www.google.com/finance/\|access-date=2020-12-31\|website=[[Google News]]\|language=en\|archive-date=27 January 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127000512/https://www.google.com/finance\|url-status=live}}</ref> Arnault has promoted decisions toward decentralizing the group's brands as a business strategy. As a result of these measures, brands under the LVMH umbrella such as Tiffany are still viewed as independent firms with their history.<ref name=":3" /> Arnault has said that brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior are successful because "they have these two aspects, which may be contradictory: They are timeless, [and] they are at the utmost level of modernity.”"<ref name="forbesindia">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/cross-border/the-100-billion-man-how-lvmhs-bernard-arnault-stitched-together-a-giant-fortune/56811/1\|title=The $100 Billion Man: How LVMH's Bernard Arnault Stitched Together A Giant Fortune\|website=Forbes India\|access-date=29 September 2023\|archive-date=27 October 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027120827/https://www.forbesindia.com/article/cross-border/the-100-billion-man-how-lvmhs-bernard-arnault-stitched-together-a-giant-fortune/56811/1\|url-status=live}}</ref> == Personal life == === Family === In 1973, Arnault married Anne Dewavrin. Together, they had two children, [[Delphine Arnault\|Delphine]] and [[Antoine Arnault\|Antoine]].<ref name="France24" /> They separated in 1990.<ref name="Business Insider">{{cite news \|last1=Warren \|first1=Katie \|last2=Rogers \|first2=Taylor Nicole \|title=LVMH brought in a record-breaking $59 billion in revenue in 2019. Meet CEO Bernard Arnault, the world's 3rd-richest person, who's built a $98 billion fortune as head of the luxury giant. \|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-bernard-arnault-richest-person-in-europe-lvmh-life-photos-2019-1?r=US&IR=T#arnault-has-five-children-two-with-his-first-wife-and-three-with-his-current-wife-17 \|access-date=23 April 2020 \|work=Business Insider \|date=31 January 2020 \|archive-date=1 November 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101100954/https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-bernard-arnault-richest-person-in-europe-lvmh-life-photos-2019-1?r=US&IR=T#arnault-has-five-children-two-with-his-first-wife-and-three-with-his-current-wife-17 \|url-status=live }}</ref> In 1991, he married [[Hélène Mercier-Arnault\|Hélène Mercier]], athe Canadian-born concert pianist. They have three sons, Alexandre, [[Frédéric Arnault\|Frédéric]], and Jean. Arnault and Mercier live in Paris.<ref name="Business Insider" /> Arnault has four grandchildren, two from his son Antoine and two from his daughter, Delphine.<ref>{{cnCite magazine \|last=Quihuiz \|first=Ariana \|date=~~March~~13 August 2024 \|title=Bernard Arnault's 5 Children: All About His Sons and Daughter \|url=https://people.com/all-about-bernard-arnault-children-8385121 \|magazine=People}}</ref> All five children—Delphine, Antoine, Alexandre, Frédéric, and Jean—have official roles in brands controlled by Arnault, along with his niece Stephanie Watine Arnault.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/fashion/lvmh-stephanie-watine-arnault-clos19.html\|title=Another Arnault Steps Into the Spotlight\|work=The New York Times\|date=7 November 2017\|access-date=26 July 2018\|language=en\|last1=Paton\|first1=Elizabeth\|archive-date=26 July 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234454/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/fashion/lvmh-stephanie-watine-arnault-clos19.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> Alexandre is the EVP of Tiffany & Co., Frédéric is the CEO of LVMH Watches,<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/technology/lvmh-watches-ceo-frederic-arnaults-vision-for-innovation \|title=LVMH Watches CEO Frédéric Arnault's vision for innovation \|date=February 2024 \|access-date=31 March 2024 \|archive-date=31 March 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165306/https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/technology/lvmh-watches-ceo-frederic-arnaults-vision-for-innovation \|url-status=live }}</ref> and Jean is the Director of Watchmaking Marketing and Development at Louis Vuitton.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Socha \|first=Miles \|date=2021-12-15 \|title=Bernard Arnault's Youngest Son Is Working at Louis Vuitton \|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/bernard-arnaults-youngest-son-is-working-at-louis-vuitton-1235017565/ \|access-date=2022-05-31 \|website=WWD \|language=en-US \|archive-date=31 May 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531011102/https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/bernard-arnaults-youngest-son-is-working-at-louis-vuitton-1235017565/ \|url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2010, Arnault's daughter Delphine has been with [[Xavier Niel]], a French billionaire businessman active in the telecommunications and technology industry. Effective February 1, 2023, Delphine is the chief executive officer of the luxury brand Dior.<ref>{{cnCite web \|last=Neate \|first=Rupert \|date=~~June~~11 January 2023 \|title=LVMH billionaire Bernard Arnault appoints daughter to run Dior \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jan/11/bernard-arnault-appoints-daughter-delphine-dior-chief-executive-lvmh \|work=The ~~2024~~Guardian}}</ref> === Wealth === Line 88 ⟶ 89: On 5 August 2021, Arnault regained the status of the wealthiest man in the world, with his net worth climbing to $198.4 billion. This occurred as sales of [[LVMH]]'s luxury goods surged in China and other parts of Asia.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Luxury magnate Bernard Arnault knocks off Elon Musk on world billionaire ranking\|url=https://fortune.com/2021/04/19/bernard-arnault-knocks-elon-musk-on-world-billionaire-rankings/\|date=2021-04-19\|access-date=2021-05-18\|website=Fortune\|first=Sophie\|last=Mellor\|language=en\|archive-date=18 May 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518184447/https://fortune.com/2021/04/19/bernard-arnault-knocks-elon-musk-on-world-billionaire-rankings/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>T. TRAN, [https://futurism.com/the-byte/jeff-bezos-no-longer-richest-man "Jeff Bezos Is No Longer the World's Richest Man"] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808081951/https://futurism.com/the-byte/jeff-bezos-no-longer-richest-man \|date=8 August 2021 }}, ''Futurism'', 7 August 2021.</ref> He is listed as "Bernard Arnault & family" on the Forbes Billionaires list.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|title=Forbes Billionaires 2022: The Richest People In The World \|url=https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/ \|access-date=2022-05-31 \|website=Forbes \|language=English \|archive-date=4 January 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104180124/https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/3/ \|url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated the Bernard Arnault & family fortune to be $158 billion in 2022, positioning him ahead of [[Bill Gates]].<ref name=":1" /> In 2022, Arnault changed the legal structure of Agache from a [[Societas Europaea]] (SE) to a joint-stock partnership to ensure family control over LVMH in the long term.<ref>Mimosa Spencer (21 July 2022), [https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/lvmhs-bernard-arnault-restructures-holding-long-term-family-control-2022-07-21/ LVMH's Bernard Arnault restructures holding for 'long-term family control'] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827082812/https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/lvmhs-bernard-arnault-restructures-holding-long-term-family-control-2022-07-21/ \|date=27 August 2023 }} ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> Arnault and his family had an estimated peak net worth of {{currency\|240.7\|USD}} billion in April 2023, according to ''[[Forbes]]''. <ref>{{cite web \|title=Bernard Arnault & family \|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/bernard-arnault/ \|website=Forbes.com \|access-date=19 April 2023 \|archive-date=5 September 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905084308/https://www.forbes.com/profile/bernard-arnault/ \|url-status=live }}</ref> This made him the richest person in the world at the time, surpassing [[Elon Musk]]. Musk would surpass Arnaut in June 2023 in net worth with $240 billion, as Arnault's wealth dropped to $190 billion. According to ''Bloomberg Billionaires Index'' Arnault was the wealthiest person in the world, with a net worth of about US $218 billion in May 2024. <ref>{{cite news \| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/ \| title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index \| newspaper=Bloomberg \| date=5 May 2024 \| access-date=8 August 2020 \| archive-date=31 May 2017 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531225811/https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/ \| url-status=live }}</ref> By ~~June~~ 14, June 2024, according to ''Forbes'', Musk had regained first place, with Bezos in second place, and Arnault, with {{currency\|194.2\|USD}} billion, in third place.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Bernard Arnault & family \|url= https://www.forbes.com/profile/bernard-arnault/ \|website=Forbes.com \|access-date=14 June 2024}}</ref> Line 121 ⟶ 122: * [[Medal of Pushkin]] (Russia, 2017)<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001201710160029?index=1&rangeSize=1\|title=Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 09.10.2017 № 475 "О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации"\|date=2017-10-16\|access-date=15 January 2023\|archive-date=22 November 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122074802/http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001201710160029?index=1&rangeSize=1\|url-status=live\|language=ru}}</ref> * Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent [[Order of the British Empire]] (UK, 2012)<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/actualites/article/bernard-arnault-nomme-chevalier-commandeur-de-l-ordre-de-l-empire-britannique_11053.html#:~:text=Le%20patron%20de%20LVMH%20va,%2C%20%C3%A9crit%20Vogue%20(anglais).\|title=Bernard Arnault nommé Chevalier commandeur de l'ordre de l'empire britannique\|language=fr\|date=2012-10-07\|access-date=15 January 2023\|archive-date=15 January 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115200836/https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/actualites/article/bernard-arnault-nomme-chevalier-commandeur-de-l-ordre-de-l-empire-britannique_11053.html#:~:text=Le%20patron%20de%20LVMH%20va,%2C%20%C3%A9crit%20Vogue%20(anglais).\|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[The Woodrow Wilson Award for Global Corporate Citizenship]] (2011)<ref>Christy Stewart, [http://www.businessinsider.com/mr-arnault-goes-to-washington-lvmh-corporate-citizen-2011-5 Mr. Arnault Goes to Washington: LVMH Corporate Citizen] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515041110/http://www.businessinsider.com/mr-arnault-goes-to-washington-lvmh-corporate-citizen-2011-5 \|date=15 May 2013 }}, ''Business Insider'', 9 May 2011</ref> * The [[Museum of Modern Art]]'s David Rockefeller Award (March 2014)<ref name="Bernard Arnault to Be Honored at MoMA Luncheon">{{cite web\|author=Lockwood, Lisa\|date=19 February 2014\|title=Bernard Arnault to Be Honored at MoMA Luncheon\|url=http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/arnault-to-be-feted-7487200?src=nl/mornReport/20140220\|access-date=20 February 2014\|publisher=WWD\|archive-date=19 December 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219061015/http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/arnault-to-be-feted-7487200?src=nl/mornReport/20140220\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bernard Arnault Receives MoMa's David Rockefeller Award">{{cite web\|author=Maza, Erik\|date=4 March 2014\|title=Bernard Arnault Receives MoMa's David Rockefeller Award\|url=http://www.wwd.com/eye/people/bernard-arnault-receives-momas-david-rockefeller-award-7555559?src=nl/mornReport/20140305\|access-date=5 March 2014\|publisher=WWD\|archive-date=19 December 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219061011/http://www.wwd.com/eye/people/bernard-arnault-receives-momas-david-rockefeller-award-7555559?src=nl%2FmornReport%2F20140305\|url-status=live}}</ref> Line 131 ⟶ 132: == External links == * [http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/being-arnault/ Being LVMH's Bernard Arnault]- Profile story from ''[[~~The~~WSJ ~~Wall Street Journal\|WSJ~~Magazine]]'' ~~magazine~~ * [http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/being-arnault/tab/interactive/ A Guide to the Principal Holdings of Bernard Arnault] also in ''[[~~The~~WSJ ~~Wall Street Journal\|WSJ~~Magazine]]'' ~~magazine~~ * [https://timehubblog.com/bernard-arnault-net-worth-2023-age-salary-family-companies/ Bernard Arnault's Billionaire Business Magnate] {{LVMH}} Line 161: [[Category:People named in the Paradise Papers]] [[Category:People from Roubaix]] ~~[[Category:Centibillionaires]]~~ [[Category:21st-century French philanthropists]] [[Category:French Roman Catholics]]