Bernard Arnault is among the richest people in the world, having a vast empire in the world of luxury fashion. As chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), he owns the most expensive brands in the world. But how did he become so rich? Let’s deconstruct.
A Rich Beginning and Early Business Transactions
Arnault was born rich in 1949. His father had a civil engineering business, Ferret-Savinel, and provided Arnault with a solid financial background. Arnault attended École Polytechnique, the best engineering school in France, and then joined his father’s business. But he had more ambitious plans.
He persuaded his father to diversify the business into real estate, which increased the profitability of the company. This initial success provided Arnault with the funds he required to venture into the luxury market.
Bernard Arnault’s First Major Move: Christian Dior Acquisition
In 1984, Arnault collaborated with investment bank Lazard Frères to acquire Financière Agache, a troubled luxury firm. With this, he acquired control of Boussac Saint-Frères, a bankrupt conglomerate.
The sole worthwhile aspect of Boussac was Christian Dior. Arnault readily offloaded the remainder of assets, retaining just Dior and department store Le Bon Marché. This risk took him one step closer to creating his next empire.
The Birth of LVMH and Ruthless Expansion
In 1987, Arnault partnered with Louis Vuitton president Henry Racamier to form LVMH. But in two years, he had acquired enough shares to become the largest shareholder.
By early 1989, Arnault owned 43.5% of LVMH’s shares and 35% of its voting rights. With his influence, he ousted Racamier and gained full control of the company.
Arnault then embarked on a hostile takeover binge. He purchased brands such as:
- Berluti
- Kenzo
- Guerlain
- Sephora
- Fendi
- DKNY
By the 2000s, LVMH owned more than 75 luxury brands and was the world’s largest luxury empire.
How Much Is Arnault Worth?
As of early 2025, Arnault’s net worth was $189.6 billion, ranking him as the world’s fifth-richest person. His 48.6% holding in LVMH, which had a market capitalization of $328 billion, represents 97% of his wealth.
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How Did Bernard Arnault’s Wealth Grow Over Time?
Arnault’s wealth has increased exponentially over the years:
- 1997: $3.6 billion
- 2005: More than $20 billion
- 2010s: Varied between $30-$75 billion
- 2021: Exceeded $186 billion
- 2023-2024: Almost $200 billion
His wealth has been impacted by LVMH’s share performance, which made huge gains throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when demand for luxury items skyrocketed.
How Does Arnault Spend His Money?
Arnault has a passion for fine art. He possesses works by:
- Pablo Picasso
- Andy Warhol
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
He also possesses:
- A 135-acre private Bahamian island
- A superyacht called Symphony
- Luxury residences in Paris, Saint-Tropez, and Los Angeles
- A Dassault Falcon 7X private plane
What Makes Bernard Arnault So Successful?
Arnault is ruthless, strategic, and extremely ambitious. His cutthroat business approach led to nicknames such as “The Terminator” and “The Wolf in the Cashmere Coat.”
What is Bernard Arnault’s secret for success?
- Control exclusivity – Luxury lives on exclusivity.
- Acquire and expand – He continues to acquire valuable brands.
- Market luxury well – He makes luxury desirable.
Conclusion
All in all, by keeping the Principle intact Bernard Arnault built the world’s largest luxury empire—and became one of the richest men alive.
