Bernard Arnault is basically the king of luxury. If you’ve ever admired a Louis Vuitton bag, a Dior dress, or a bottle of Dom Pérignon, you’ve seen his empire at work. Born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France, Arnault didn’t start out in fashion. He studied engineering at École Polytechnique and kicked off his career in his dad’s construction company. But by the mid-1980s, he took a sharp turn into high-end fashion—buying a struggling company mostly to get his hands on Christian Dior. Bold, right?
That was just the beginning. In 1987, he helped create LVMH—merging Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy—and slowly stitched together a powerhouse of over 75 luxury brands. Think Sephora, Fendi, Bulgari… the list goes on.
As of May 2025, Bernard Arnault is 76 years and 2 months old. His estimated net worth is $150 billion, and he is 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm or 1.85 m) tall.
Bio/Wiki
Full Name
Bernard Jean Ètienne Arnault
Nickname
The Terminator, The Wolf in Cashmere
Profession
Investor, Businessman, Art Collector
Career
Debut
In 1971 – Business
Best Known for
Arnault is best known as the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods conglomerate, which he built through strategic acquisitions of iconic brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior. He transformed LVMH into a global leader in fashion, jewelry, watches, and wine, shaping the luxury industry worldwide.
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
March 5, 1949
Age
As of today, he is Bernard Arnault is 76 years, 2 months, and 18 days old.
Zodiac sign
Pisces
Nationality
French
Birth Place
Roubaix, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France
Residence
Paris, France
School / College / University
Bernard Arnault studied at École Polytechnique—basically the Harvard of French engineering schools—where he graduated in 1971. Before that, he went through Lycée Maxence Van Der Meersch in Roubaix and Lycée Faidherbe in Lille. Polytechnique is famous for being intense, structured, and insanely competitive, and it gave Arnault a rock-solid foundation in analytical thinking and leadership—skills he later used to quietly build a luxury empire.
Religion
Arnault was raised in a devoutly Catholic household and grew up influenced by a strict Catholic upbringing, particularly by his grandmother from Auvergne.
Race / Ethnicity
French
Food Habits
Bernard Arnault keeps his food habits classy and clean—very much in line with the luxury empire he runs. Breakfast is usually light but smart: oatmeal, fresh berries, a few almonds, and green tea. It’s not flashy, but it fuels his day. Lunch? Think elegant French simplicity—grilled fish, seasonal salads, or lean poultry, often shared over a quiet glass of wine during a business meeting.
He’s big on savoring quality over quantity and has a deep appreciation for gourmet dining and traditional French cuisine. In fact, under his leadership, LVMH even acquired Chez l’Ami Louis, a legendary Parisian bistro. So yeah, food isn’t just fuel for Arnault—it’s part of the art of living well.
Hobbies
Bernard Arnault has a soft spot for the piano—something he picked up as a kid and still plays to unwind. He’s classically trained and loves getting lost in pieces by Chopin, Liszt, and Schumann (Chopin is his go-to). Music’s not just a hobby for him; it’s a quiet escape from boardrooms and balance sheets.
He’s also big on art—like, seriously big. Arnault is one of the world’s top art collectors and regularly visits galleries and exhibitions, often drawing creative inspiration for his work at LVMH. And when he’s not making deals or curating collections, you might catch him on the tennis court. He’s known to rally with friends—including Roger Federer.
Physical Attributes and Measurements
Height
- In feet: 6′ 1″
- In Centimeters: 185 cm
- In meters: 1.85 m
Weight
- In kilograms: 78 kg
- In Pounds: 172 lbs
Shoe size
10 (US)
Eye color
Blue
Hair color
Gray
Family
Wife
Anne Dewavrin (1973–1990) (Divorced)
Hélène Mercier (1991–Present)
Father
Jean Léon Arnault
Mother
Marie-Josèphe Savinel
Siblings
Dominique Watine Arnault (Sister) (Died on March 1, 2006)
Children
Antoine Arnault (Son) (Born on June 4, 1977)
Delphine Arnault (Daughter) (Born on April 4, 1975)
Alexandre Arnault (Son) (Born on May 5, 1992)
Frédéric Arnault (Son) (Born in 1995)
Jean Arnault (Son) (Born in 1998)
Relationship & More
Marital Status
Married to Hélène Mercier
Marriage Date
May 5, 1973 – Anne Dewavrin
September 23, 1991 – Hélène Mercier
Affairs or dating history
Anne Dewavrin (1973—1990)
Hélène Mercier (1990—Present)
Favorite Things
Favorite Tennis Player – Roger Federer
Net worth 2025
$150 billion
As of May 2025, it’s estimated that Bernard Arnault has a net worth of about $150 billion. If you’ve ever stepped into a Louis Vuitton store, swiped on Fenty Beauty, or admired a bottle of Moët at a wedding—you’ve already brushed up against Bernard Arnault’s world. He’s the quiet force behind the biggest luxury empire on the planet: LVMH. While names like Musk and Bezos might dominate headlines, Arnault built his fortune the old-school way—with strategy, taste, and serious patience.
So, how does he actually make his money? And where does all that jaw-dropping wealth come from?
Let’s break it down like a friend would over coffee (or champagne, in Arnault’s case).
LVMH: The Money-Making Machine
At the heart of everything sits LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, a company Bernard Arnault helped shape back in 1987. It started as a merger between Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy—and over the years, he turned it into a luxury superpower.
Fast forward to now: LVMH owns 75+ world-famous brands. Think:
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Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi (fashion royalty)
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Dom Pérignon, Hennessy (the good stuff)
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Tiffany & Co., Bulgari (sparkly and iconic)
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Sephora, Fenty Beauty (game-changers in beauty)
And guess what? Arnault and his family own about 48.6% of LVMH shares. That means when LVMH does well (which it usually does), his net worth shoots up—fast.
Here’s What He Actually Earns
Let’s talk real numbers. Arnault’s not raking it in from some giant CEO salary. Nope, he plays the long game.
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Dividends from LVMH shares: Roughly $2 billion a year. That’s about $5.5 million a day, just from holding stock.
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Share growth: His net worth jumps by $30–40 million on a good day thanks to market gains.
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CEO salary: About $10 million a year—modest for someone worth $150 billion, right?
The takeaway? Almost all of his money comes from owning, not earning.
His Secret Weapon: Christian Dior SE
Here’s where it gets clever.
Arnault also owns 97.5% of Christian Dior SE, which itself owns a big chunk of LVMH. It’s like owning the key to your own vault. This structure gives him tight control and more layers of income.
Smart? Absolutely. Complicated? A little. Effective? You bet.
Beyond LVMH: Other Ways He Cashes In
LVMH is the crown jewel, but Arnault’s also dipped into other pots over the years. Here’s where else his money flows:
Retail
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He once held a 10% stake in Carrefour, France’s biggest grocery chain. Not exactly glamorous, but definitely smart.
Luxury Yachts
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Bought up Princess Yachts and Royal Van Lent. Because if you’re going to sell luxury, why not float in it too?
Private Equity
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Created LCapitalAsia—a private equity firm that bets big on high-end lifestyle brands in Asia.
Media
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Owns French media outlets like Les Échos, Le Parisien, and Paris Match.
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These don’t add much to his wallet, but they give him something just as valuable—influence.
Art, Architecture, and Real Estate
He’s not just about profits—he’s a serious art guy too.
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Owns pieces by Picasso, Warhol, Basquiat, and more.
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Built the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a stunning contemporary art museum in Paris.
Real Estate? He’s got that covered too:
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Mansions in Paris, St. Tropez, Courchevel
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A private island in the Bahamas
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Properties in London and Beverly Hills
All told, his art and real estate holdings are worth billions, even if they’re not generating daily income.
The Occasional Dip
Even billionaires take hits.
In April 2025, LVMH stock dipped after a weak quarter. China’s luxury demand slowed, and suddenly, Arnault was $13 billion poorer overnight.
Still, when your net worth is hovering around $150 billion, you probably sleep just fine.
Let’s Summarize the Money Flow
Here’s a bird’s-eye view of where Bernard Arnault’s money comes from:
| Source | Estimated Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LVMH Dividends | ~$2 billion/year | About $5.5M per day |
| Stock Growth (LVMH) | ~$10–15 billion/year (varies) | Market-dependent |
| Salary as CEO | ~$10 million/year | Just for formality |
| Christian Dior SE | Major control over LVMH | Strategic ownership structure |
| Other Investments | Varies | Includes yachts, retail, private equity |
| Media Holdings | Minimal income | High influence in France |
| Art & Real Estate | Adds long-term value | Multi-billion-dollar portfolio |
Source of Income – Business
Car collection
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Bugatti Chiron
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Ferrari F12tdf
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Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf
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Rolls-Royce Phantom
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pullman
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Tesla Model S
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Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
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Multiple Ferraris and Bugattis (various models)
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2009 Vauxhall Astra (noted as a modest daily driver)
Social Media Profiles
Arnault himself maintains a very low personal profile on social media and does not have verified public accounts on platforms like Instagram or Twitter.
