Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault, born 5 March 1949 in Roubaix, France, is the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) — the world's largest luxury-goods conglomerate, owning Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Tiffany & Co, Tag Heuer, Bulgari, Sephora, and dozens of other brands. He was the world's richest person from 2022 to 2024.

His Parents

Father: Jean Léon Arnault — civil engineer; owner of construction firm Ferret-Savinel.

Mother: Marie-Josèphe Savinel — homemaker.

His First Wife: Anne Dewavrin

Anne Dewavrin (m. 1973, div. 1990). Two children with her.

His Wife: Hélène Mercier

Hélène Mercier-Arnault — Canadian classical pianist; married Bernard in 1991. Three children with her.

His Five Children (All In LVMH Management)

Delphine Arnault, born 4 April 1975 — daughter with Anne; CEO of Christian Dior since 2023.

Antoine Arnault, born 4 June 1977 — son with Anne; CEO of Christian Dior SE (the LVMH holding company) and head of communications and image; chairs Berluti and is on the board of LVMH.

Alexandre Arnault, born 22 May 1992 — son with Hélène; EVP at Moët Hennessy.

Frédéric Arnault, born 5 February 1995 — son with Hélène; CEO of LVMH Watches division.

Jean Arnault, born 18 November 1998 — son with Hélène; Director of Marketing and Product Development at Louis Vuitton's Watches division.

The Arnault Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Jean Léon Arnault — civil engineer; construction-firm owner.

Mother: Marie-Josèphe Savinel.

First Wife: Anne Dewavrin (m. 1973, div. 1990).

Wife: Hélène Mercier-Arnault (Canadian pianist); married 1991.

Children: Delphine (b. 4 April 1975); Antoine (b. 4 June 1977); Alexandre (b. 22 May 1992); Frédéric (b. 5 February 1995); Jean (b. 18 November 1998).

Bernard Arnault:

  • Born 5 March 1949, Roubaix, France
  • Lycée Maxence Van Der Meersch, Roubaix
  • École Polytechnique (1971)
  • President of Ferret-Savinel (his father's firm) 1974–1978
  • Acquired Christian Dior (1984) and built LVMH
  • Chairman and CEO of LVMH since 1989

What the Arnault Family Story Teaches Us

A French construction-engineer father. Two marriages, the second to a Canadian classical pianist. Five children, all currently in LVMH management. A succession story in which all five offspring have been placed in different parts of the empire — a deliberate plan to keep the family in control across generations.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Arnault story carries the same lesson. Some families distribute responsibility deliberately across siblings. The five Arnault children each run different LVMH businesses — by design. Write down what your family has tried to do with succession. The plans are part of the tree.

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