Bernard Arnault Short biography
Bernard Arnault is a French businessman, investor, and art collector who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury goods company.
Born on March 5, 1949, in Roubaix, France, Arnault grew up in an industrial family. He studied engineering at the École Polytechnique in Paris and began his career in the construction industry. In 1971, he took over his father's construction company, Ferret-Savine
In the 1980s, Arnault turned his attention to the luxury goods industry. He acquired a controlling stake in the textile company Boussac Saint-Laurent in 1984 Arnault took control of Financière Agache, a holding company that owned a stake in Christian Dior. He then began to acquire other luxury goods companies, including Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, and Givenchy. In 1987, he took control of LVMH, which at the time was struggling financially. In 1989, he merged Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy to create LVMH.
Arnault is known for his aggressive business tactics and his focus on brand building. He has been criticized for his high prices and his use of tax havens. However, he is also admired for his business acumen and his ability to identify and acquire promising luxury brands.
