Bernard Arnault, the French billionaire and head of luxury conglomerate LVMH, has seen all of his five children join his expansive business empire. With a net worth nearing $200 billion, Arnault has firmly positioned LVMH as a leader in luxury goods, encompassing brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Tiffany & Co., and Givenchy, which he co-founded in the 1980s.
His children—Delphine, Antoine, Alexandre, Frédéric, and Jean—are now key figures within the company, continuing the family legacy. In 1973, Bernard married his first wife, Anne Dewavrin, with whom he had two children, Delphine and Antoine.
After their divorce, Bernard wed concert pianist Hélène Mercier, and together, they had three children—Alexandre, Frédéric, and Jean. Despite the high-profile nature of their family business, Bernard expressed in a 2023 interview that it’s not inevitable for one of his children to take over the helm of LVMH.
The Arnault family maintains strong bonds while shaping the future of LVMH
He emphasized that his successor should be the best fit, whether inside or outside the family, though he does not foresee a leadership change in the immediate future. Jean, the youngest, has acknowledged that while the family discusses LVMH’s future, Bernard makes the final decisions.
While the Arnault family has often been compared to the fictional Roy family from Succession, Antoine clarified that there is no sibling rivalry, saying, “We actually get on well.”
Here’s a closer look at each of Bernard Arnault’s five children:
Delphine Arnault, 49
Born on April 4, 1975, Delphine was raised in France but spent part of her childhood in New York, where she became fluent in English. She attended EDHEC Business School and the London School of Economics before working at McKinsey.
Delphine joined the family business in 2000, first as development director at John Galliano, then moving to Dior and later Louis Vuitton. She was appointed CEO of Christian Dior in 2023, a milestone in her career.
Delphine’s passion for the business side of fashion, rather than design, has shaped her leadership style. Outside of work, she enjoys visiting museums, exercising, and watching TV. She was previously married to Alessandro Vallarino Gancia and is now in a relationship with Xavier Niel, with whom she has two children.
Antoine Arnault, 47
Antoine was born on June 4, 1977, and has been involved in LVMH since 2005. He started in the advertising department before moving to Louis Vuitton as communications director. Antoine now serves as chairman of Loro Piana and is responsible for LVMH’s communication strategy.
Antoine, who was immersed in the family business from a young age, values his early exposure to the world of fashion. In 2020, he married model Natalia Vodianova, and the couple has five children, blending their families. Antoine relishes his role as a father, particularly the dynamic between his own children and those from Natalia’s previous marriage.
Alexandre Arnault, 32
Alexandre, born on May 5, 1992, followed a path that mixed business with a strong academic background, graduating from Télécom ParisTech and École Polytechnique. He played a key role in bringing Rimowa into the LVMH fold and later transitioned to Tiffany & Co., where he serves as executive vice president.
Bernard Arnault reflects on LVMH’s future, stating his successor could come from inside or outside the family
Alexandre married Geraldine Guyot in 2021, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2023. Alexandre’s leadership at Tiffany highlights his ability to steer the brand through major milestones, while his personal life remains intertwined with his business commitments.
Frédéric Arnault, 29
Frédéric, the second youngest of Bernard and Hélène’s children, was born on November 7, 1995. He shares his educational background in mathematics with his brother, Alexandre, attending École Polytechnique. Frédéric joined TAG Heuer in 2018, eventually becoming CEO of the brand in 2020.
His business acumen is evident in his recent appointments to LVMH’s board and as managing director of Financiere Agache. Though his career in business is flourishing, Frédéric still finds time for his passion for music, often playing backgammon and chess in his downtime.
Jean Arnault, 26
Jean, the youngest Arnault child, was born in October 1998. He holds dual master’s degrees, one in mechanical engineering from Imperial College London and another in financial mathematics from MIT.
Jean’s internships at McLaren Racing and Morgan Stanley helped shape his path, and he is now an integral part of LVMH’s future, with his academic and professional experience positioning him well for a leadership role within the company.
