Last updated on: June 17, 2025
François-Henri Pinault is a French businessman and the CEO and chairman of Kering, the global luxury group behind iconic brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, and Saint Laurent. Born in Rennes, France, in 1962, he grew up in the shadow of his father’s growing empire. But when he took the helm of the family business in 2005, he didn’t just follow in footsteps—he redrew the path. Under his watch, Kering transformed from a retail giant into one of the most daring luxury houses on the planet, championing trailblazing designers and pushing sustainability from buzzword to business model.
Away from the boardroom, Pinault’s life is equally captivating. He’s married to Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek, and together they blend Hollywood glamour with European grace. He’s soft-spoken but visionary, preferring substance over spotlight. Whether launching carbon-neutral campaigns or elevating underdog designers, François-Henri isn’t just running a fashion empire—he’s redefining what power looks like in the 21st century.
As of December 2025, François-Henri Pinault is 63 years and 6 months old. His estimated net worth is $7 billion, and he is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm or 1.78 m) tall.
Bio/Wiki
Full Name
François-Henri Pinault
Nickname
Francois Pinault
Profession
Businessman
Career
Debut
Kering (2005)
Best Known for
He is best known for transforming his family’s conglomerate into Kering, a global luxury powerhouse owning Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga, while pioneering sustainability in fashion.
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
May 28, 1962
Age
As of today, François-Henri Pinault is 63 years, 6 months, and 8 days old.
Zodiac sign
Gemini
Nationality
French
Birth Place
Les Champs-Geraux, France
Residence
France
School / College / University
François-Henri Pinault didn’t just walk into a boardroom—he earned his place there, starting with a solid academic foundation. He graduated in 1985 from HEC Paris, one of Europe’s top business schools, known for shaping future CEOs, economists, and leaders in global commerce. It was there, deep in the competitive halls of strategy and finance, that Pinault honed the sharp analytical thinking and quiet confidence he’s known for today.
At HEC, he earned a degree in business administration—an area that matched his growing interest in how companies move, evolve, and lead. The education wasn’t just about numbers or case studies; it was about understanding people, markets, and long-term vision. And for Pinault, that degree would become the launchpad—not just to follow in his father’s footsteps, but to reimagine the family business into something entirely new.
Religion
François-Henri Pinault doesn’t speak openly about religion, and there’s no public record of him following a specific faith. Raised in secular France, his outlook appears more values-driven than tied to any one belief system. His focus on sustainability, social justice, and corporate ethics suggests a quiet commitment to doing good—rooted more in conscience than creed.
Race / Ethnicity
French ancestry
Hobbies
He’s an avid collector of contemporary art—not just for prestige, but out of genuine passion—curating works that now fill museums in Venice and Paris. He’s also a lifelong soccer fan, with a special connection to Stade Rennais, the club backed by his family’s investment arm. Off the field and outside the gallery, he has a soft spot for tech—often drawn to the latest digital tools that push boundaries in fashion, sport, and beyond.
Physical Stats & More
Height
- In feet: 5′ 10″
- In Centimeters: 178 cm
- In meters: 1.78 m
Weight
- In kilograms: 78 kg
- In Pounds: 171 lbs
Body Measurements
- Chest Size: 40″
- Biceps Size: 14″
- Waist Size: 34″
Shoe size
10 (US)
Eye color
Blue
Hair color
Brown
Family
Wife
Dorothée Lepère (1996–2004)

Salma Hayek (2009–Present)

Father
Francois Pinault
Mother
Louise Gautier
Siblings
Laurence Pinault (Sister)
Dominique Pinault (Brother)

Children
Valentina Paloma Pinault (Daughter) (Born on September 21, 2007)

Mathilde Pinault (Daughter) (Born in 2001)

Augustin James (Son) (Born in 2006)
Francois Pinault (Son) (Born in 1998)
Relationship & More
Marital Status
Married to Salma Hayek
Marriage Date
In 1996 – Dorothée Lepère
February 14, 2009 – Salma Hayek
Affairs or dating history
Dorothée Lepère (1996–2004)

Linda Evangelista (2005)
François-Henri Pinault and supermodel Linda Evangelista had a brief relationship in late 2005 that lasted only a few months, but it led to the birth of their son, Augustin James, in October 2006. Though their time together was short, Pinault acknowledged paternity and has since made efforts to include Augustin in his broader family life.
The years that followed weren’t without complications—a high-profile child support case made headlines but was privately settled in 2012. Today, despite their history, there’s a quiet understanding between Evangelista and Pinault’s wife, Salma Hayek. They’ve managed to build a respectful dynamic, often coming together for the sake of their children.
Salma Hayek (2006–Present)
François-Henri Pinault met Salma Hayek in 2006 at a gala in Venice’s Palazzo Grassi—a fittingly grand setting for the beginning of a love story. They began dating soon after, and by 2007, they were engaged and expecting their daughter, Valentina.
The couple married in a low-key Paris courthouse ceremony on Valentine’s Day 2009, followed by a lavish celebration in Venice. Though Hayek once admitted she wasn’t sure about marriage, she’s since called Pinault “the best thing that ever happened” to her. More than a decade later, their bond remains strong—grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and quiet joy.
Net worth 2025
$7 billion
As of December 2025, it’s estimated that François-Henri Pinault has a net worth of about $7 billion. As chairman and CEO of Kering, and president of the Pinault family holding company Groupe Artémis, he draws income from multiple, interconnected sources: salary, dividends, equity holdings, and private investments across fashion, art, wine, sports, and entertainment.
1. Executive Compensation at Kering
Pinault’s most visible source of income comes from his role at the top of Kering, the Paris-based luxury conglomerate that owns world-famous brands like:
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Gucci
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Saint Laurent
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Balenciaga
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Alexander McQueen
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Bottega Veneta
In 2024, François-Henri Pinault earned approximately €4.8 million ($5.2 million USD) in total compensation. This includes:
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€1.2 million base salary
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€3.6 million in bonuses and stock incentives
His earnings fluctuate with the company’s performance, particularly profit margins and shareholder returns. While his salary is modest by global CEO standards, the bulk of his wealth is tied to ownership and capital growth—true to the long-term vision his family is known for.
2. Dividends from the Family’s 42% Stake in Kering
Here’s where the real money flows.
The Pinault family, through their holding company Groupe Artémis, owns roughly 42% of Kering’s shares. That’s tens of millions of shares in a company with a market cap often hovering around €40 billion ($43+ billion USD).
Kering pays annual dividends—€6 per share in 2025, for instance. At 42% ownership, Artémis would collect:
Estimated annual dividend payout: €250–€300 million
A portion of this income supports François-Henri personally, family trust funds, and reinvestment into other ventures.
Even in slower fashion years, this dividend stream remains a reliable source of wealth.
3. Leadership of Groupe Artémis
Pinault has also served as President of Artémis since 2003, overseeing a vast and diverse portfolio of investments beyond fashion. Artémis is the family’s private holding company and it’s one of the most strategically built empires in Europe.
Key assets under Artémis include:
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Christie’s Auction House (acquired in 1998)
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Château Latour and other Bordeaux vineyards
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Stade Rennais Football Club (Ligue 1, France)
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Creative Artists Agency (CAA) – major entertainment agency stake
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Ponant Cruises, luxury expedition cruise line
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Several media, real estate, and tech ventures
The holdings are privately owned, so exact income figures are hard to track. But these businesses generate:
Tens to hundreds of millions annually in profits, dividends, and capital appreciation.
François-Henri is not just a figurehead—he actively guides these businesses, making critical decisions in luxury, wine, sports, and art investment strategies.
4. Capital Gains and Long-Term Asset Growth
Pinault’s leadership style centers on long-term value creation, not short-term profit chasing. Under his leadership:
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Kering’s shift from retail to high fashion led to massive brand value increases (especially Gucci).
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He’s exited underperforming assets smartly—divesting from Puma, Fnac, and other non-core businesses.
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He’s also prioritized sustainability and innovation, which increasingly drive stock value and investor trust.
Because much of his wealth is tied to equity (not cash), François-Henri Pinault gains massively from capital appreciation. In just a decade, Kering’s market cap more than doubled—translating to billions added to family wealth.
5. Art & Cultural Investments
While not a direct source of income, Pinault’s passion for art feeds into his public influence and long-term brand positioning.
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The Pinault Collection is one of the world’s largest private art collections, valued in the billions.
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He financed the restoration and use of major landmarks like Palazzo Grassi and Bourse de Commerce in Paris, where parts of the collection are displayed.
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These investments elevate not only his cultural status but the Kering brand image—blending commerce with creativity.
Art may not “pay out” like stock dividends, but it dramatically boosts legacy, influence, and long-term valuation of related business ventures.
| Income Source | Estimated Annual Value |
|---|---|
| Kering CEO Salary + Bonuses | $5–6 million |
| Dividends from Kering (family stake) | $250–300 million |
| Groupe Artémis private profits | Undisclosed (hundreds of millions) |
| Capital gains (Kering shares) | Varies year to year |
| Art, wine, and other assets | $1–2+ billion (non-liquid) |
House

Social Media Profiles
He is not active on social media.




