Bernard Arnault, Europe’s richest person, just joined Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates in the world’s most exclusive wealth club with a fortune of at least $100 billion.
Arnault, chairman of LVMH, entered the ranks of centibillionaires Tuesday as the luxury-goods maker climbed 2.9% to a record 368.80 euros a share. His net worth has increased almost $32 billion this year, the most on the 500-member Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
France’s multibillionaires have added the most wealth among European members of Bloomberg’s ranking in 2019, with Arnault, Kering SA’s Francois Pinault and cosmetics heir Francoise Bettencourt Meyers tacking on more than $40 billion between them.
Meanwhile, the brothers behind the Chanel brand, Gerard and Alain Wertheimer, saw their fortunes soar $9.8 billion this week after the Parisian fragrance and fashion house reported its 2018 results.
Arnault’s fortune of $100.4 billion now equals more than 3% of France’s economy, underscoring the wealth gap in his native country, where protesters have agitated this year for more benefits paid for by the rich.
Even amid growing trade tensions, Chinese consumers’ appetite for Louis Vuitton handbags and Hennessy cognac has bolstered results for LVMH, the owner of Dom Perignon Champagne and Tag Heuer watches. The company’s shares have surged 43% this year, the third-best performer on France’s CAC 40 Index.
Arnault, 70, and his family are among luxury tycoons who pledged more than $650 million in April for the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral after the landmark church was ravaged by fire. He controls about half of Paris-based LVMH through a family holding company and also owns a 97% stake in Christian Dior, the fashion house founded three years before his birth in 1949.
Arnault entered the luxury-goods market by acquiring a textile group that owned Christian Dior. He sold all of the company’s other businesses and used the proceeds to buy a controlling stake in LVMH in 1988.
Gates, the Microsoft Corp. co-founder, has donated more than $35 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Amazon.com Inc.’s Bezos, meanwhile, saw his net worth drop $40 billion earlier this year after reaching a divorce settlement with MacKenzie Bezos.
Latest Stories
-
GHs1m illegally paid monthly to Adu Buahene for GWCL internet – AG
7 minutes -
“I can never diss Tinny” – Keddi addresses song misinterpretation
25 minutes -
24-year-old farmer remanded for allegedly beating daughter to death
54 minutes -
CAF Reveals Ghana’s U-20 squad for AFCON, but discrepancies in roster cause concern
55 minutes -
Mahama recommends nomination of 7 Justices to Supreme Court
1 hour -
Akonta Mining sues gov’t over alleged defamation, demands GHs20m in damages
1 hour -
‘I’ve called for NPP presidential primaries to be conducted very early’ – Nana B
2 hours -
Adu Boahene, wife plead not guilty to GHs49m corruption charges
2 hours -
Excavator operators trained to enhance safe and efficient practices for sustainable mining
2 hours -
Breakdown of charges in GH¢49m cybersecurity scandal against Adu-Boahene
2 hours -
World Bank supports Ghana with $125.94m to tackle climate-related agricultural losses
3 hours -
Ghana’s law will deal with locals caught fronting for foreigners – GOLDBOD
3 hours -
At least three deaths linked to massive Spain power cut
3 hours -
Boost-To-Bloom Project: Agrihouse Foundation’s support for youth in horticulture and inclusive agribusiness in Northern Ghana
3 hours -
Ghana Freedom Party flagbearer commends Ablakwa, government for new chip passport
3 hours