5 Lesser Known Facts About The World Richest Man 2023

Bernard Arnault, the mastermind behind luxury conglomerate LVMH, surpassed Elon Musk as the World Richest Man 2023. It caused quite a stir on the internet. Musk's Twitter acquisition of USD 44 billion, coupled with the sale of Tesla shares multiple times throughout the year, contributed to him losing his title as the world's richest person. Did you know that Bernard Arnault’s net worth of over USD 240 billion? As the chairman and CEO of LVMH, which owns luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Givenchy, he is a well-known figure in the business world. However, there is much more to him than just becoming the world richest man 2023 and his success in the luxury goods industry.

Here are five things about Bernard Arnault that you might not know:

1. His First Job Was With A Construction Firm

Arnault was born in Roubaix, France, in 1949. His father owned a construction company, and initially, Arnault planned to follow in his footsteps. However, he developed an interest in science & technology and attended the École Polytechnique in Paris, where he studied engineering. He then worked for several companies before joining his father's construction firm in 1971.

Arnault's early years in business were spent working for his father's construction company. However, he eventually took over the company and turned it into a successful real estate business. In the 1980s, he started investing in struggling companies and turning them around. His first major success was the turnaround of the bankrupt textile company Boussac, which he transformed into the successful luxury goods company that later became part of LVMH and now he is the world richest man 2023.

2. War With Gucci



Arnault's reputation as a shrewd businessman has sometimes earned him criticism before he became the world richest man 2023. In 1999, he faced a backlash after he attempted to acquire the luxury goods company Gucci. In 1995, Bernard Arnault began purchasing shares of Gucci, eventually acquiring a 35% stake in the company. Gucci was resistant to Arnault's takeover bid, and sought the help of Francois Pinault, the head of Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (later known as PPR). As per an iBTimes report, PPR's involvement in thwarting Arnault's plan to take over Gucci contributed to making it the third-largest luxury goods company in the world. Arnault lost Gucci to Pinault after a nearly three-year battle. This resulted in a long-standing rivalry between the two, as Arnault accused Pinault of trying to copy LVMH's success on a smaller scale. Many in the fashion industry saw his attempted takeover as a hostile move and criticized his business tactics. Despite the criticism, Arnault's success in the business world has been undeniable.

3. He is a major Collector of Art

Did you know that the world richest man 2023 is also a major patron of the arts? Arnault is the founder and president of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a contemporary art museum in Paris, and a major patron of the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana, two contemporary art museums in Venice. LVMH, which he chairs, also owns several major art auction houses, including Phillips de Pury and Company and the Hôtel Drouot in Paris.



4. He is a self-made billionaire

Arnault's success story is a true testament to the power of hard work, risk-taking, and a keen eye for opportunity. Despite his immense wealth, hw is the world richest man 2023 who has worked hard for his success. In interviews, he has said that his success comes from "seeing things that others don't see." He has often invested in struggling companies and turned them around, using his keen business sense to identify undervalued assets and build successful brands.

5. His personal life



Bernard Arnault is notoriously private when it comes to his personal life. However, we do know a few things about him. For instance, he has been married twice and has five children. His second wife, Hélène Mercier, is a concert pianist who has performed with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras. He is also known for his love of skiing and owns several properties in some of the world's most exclusive ski resorts. Additionally, he is a wine enthusiast and owns several vineyards in France, including the prestigious Château Cheval Blanc. Despite his immense wealth, he is known for being frugal in his personal life. He often travels economy class and has been seen wearing a simple Casio watch. Arnault is also a philanthropist who has donated vast amounts for various causes, including art, education and medical research.