Early Life and Education of Bernard Arnault: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Bernard Arnault. From birth to education, explore key events.

Bernard Arnault is a French businessman, investor, and art collector, best known as the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods company. He is consistently ranked among the wealthiest individuals globally, with a net worth exceeding $148 billion as of May 2025. His leadership at LVMH has solidified the company's position as a dominant force in the luxury market, encompassing a vast portfolio of prestigious brands.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 1949: Bernard Arnault's Birth

Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault was born in March 1949, in Roubaix, France. His mother, Marie-Josèphe Savinel, had a "fascination for Dior", and his father, Jean Léon Arnault, owned the civil engineering company Ferret-Savinel.

March 1949: Birth of Bernard Arnault

In March 1949, Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault was born. He later became a prominent French businessman and the chairman and CEO of LVMH.

1971: Graduation from École Polytechnique

In 1971, Bernard Arnault graduated from the École Polytechnique, a leading engineering school in France.

1973: Marriage to Anne Dewavrin

In 1973, Bernard Arnault married Anne Dewavrin, and they had two children together.

1990: Separation from Anne Dewavrin

In 1990, Bernard Arnault and Anne Dewavrin separated.

1991: Marriage to Hélène Mercier

In 1991, Bernard Arnault married Hélène Mercier, a Canadian-born concert pianist.

1999: Arnault Acquires Phillips de Pury & Company

From 1999, Bernard Arnault owned Phillips de Pury & Company, an art auction house.

2003: Arnault No Longer Owns Phillips de Pury & Company

As of 2003, Bernard Arnault no longer owned Phillips de Pury & Company, an art auction house.

2006: Arnault Starts Louis Vuitton Foundation Project

In 2006, Bernard Arnault initiated the building project for the Louis Vuitton Foundation, dedicated to creation and contemporary art.

2008: Arnault Establishes Protectinvest Foundation

In 2008, Bernard Arnault established Protectinvest, a private foundation in Belgium. This foundation was created to protect the integrity of the LVMH group until 2023, and also restricted the Arnault children's ability to sell shares in Pilinvest until 2023.

December 2011: Transfer of Groupe Arnault Stake to Pilinvest

In December 2011, Bernard Arnault transferred a 31 percent stake in Groupe Arnault, valued at €6.5 billion, to Pilinvest.

April 2013: Arnault Addresses Belgian Citizenship Plans

In April 2013, Bernard Arnault clarified that he had been misquoted regarding his plans to apply for Belgian citizenship and stated he never intended to leave France.

April 2013: Arnault Abandons Application for Belgian Citizenship

On 10 April 2013, Bernard Arnault announced he had decided to abandon his application for Belgian citizenship to avoid misinterpretations as tax evasion, amidst France's economic challenges.

October 2014: Grand Opening of the Louis Vuitton Foundation

On 20 October 2014, the Louis Vuitton Foundation, dedicated to creation and contemporary art and designed by Frank Gehry, had its grand opening at the Jardin d'Acclimatation Paris.

2015: Sale of Research Vessel Amadeus

In late 2015, Bernard Arnault sold his 70 m (230 ft) converted research vessel named Amadeus.

2017: Arnault Publicly Supports Emmanuel Macron

In 2017, Bernard Arnault publicly supported Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the French presidential election.

October 2022: LVMH Sells Private Jet After Flight Tracking

In October 2022, Bernard Arnault stated that LVMH sold its private jet after a Twitter user began tracking its flights, and that he began renting private aircraft instead. The aircraft was a Bombardier Global 7500 which was registered F-GVMA.

2022: Arnault Changes Legal Structure of Agache

In 2022, Bernard Arnault changed the legal structure of Agache from a Societas Europaea to a joint-stock partnership to ensure continued family control over LVMH in the long term.

2023: Restriction on Pilinvest Shares Ends

In 2023, the restrictions on the Arnault children's ability to sell shares in Pilinvest, which had been put in place by the Protectinvest foundation, came to an end.

May 2025: Net Worth Estimation

As of May 2025, Bernard Arnault's net worth is estimated to be US$148.7 billion according to Forbes and US$155 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.