French businessman Bernard Arnault is the entrepreneurial tycoon behind some of the biggest luxury brands in the world. With a net worth currently valued at $161.5bn (approximately £139.10bn), the luxury magnate is also a huge presence in the wine industry.

The former richest man in the world, most of Arnault’s staggering wealth comes from his 40pc stake in LVMH, the parent company of Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Tag Heuer, Tiffany & Co and more. Reading through the LVMH “houses”, the business has amassed a huge collection of the world’s biggest brands all under one luxury umbrella. Not only is the 76-year-old in charge of many of the world’s fashion houses but he’s also a huge player in the wine industry, reportedly making nearly €6bn (over £5bn) in revenue from the wine and spirits brands in 2024 alone.

According to the LVMH website, the group owns a whopping 29 “maisons” (producers) with their oldest wine estate dating back to 1365.

Arnault’s ownership encompasses the top four of the world’s most valuable wine and champagne brands, including Moet & Chandon, Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon.

The brand also includes some historic wine makers including Domaine Des Lambrays in the heart of the Cote des Nuits, Chateau Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux and Chateau D’Yquem in Aquitaine to name just a few.

Alongside its big name wines, LVMH is unsurprisingly behind some huge spirit brands too, notably owning cognac giant Hennesy and Scottish whisky giant Glenmorangie.

Arnault is known to use his vast array of chateaus and vineyards to wine and dine some powerful guests. In 2003 he was even captured meeting and shaking hands with Vladimir Putin as he led him around the LVMH-owned Château Cheval Blanc vineyard in France.

Naturally being Europe’s richest person also means he the ‘wolf in cashmere’ moves in some elite circles, he is known to often meet with president Donald Trump, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy as well as playing tennis with Roger Federer.

His brands and winery are something he sees as emblematic of his French heritage.

Speaking to his roots and LVMH, Arnault said: “I see myself as an ambassador of French heritage and French culture. What we create is emblematic. It’s linked to Versailles, to Marie Antoinette.”

His faith in the luxury goods market has always been distinctly clear, despite some recent dips.

Recounting a conversation with Steve Jobs to the New York Times he said: “Steve Jobs once asked me for some advice about retail, but I said, ‘I am not sure at all we are in the same business.’ I don’t know if we will still use Apple products in 25 years, but I am sure we will still be drinking Dom Pérignon.”