Real-Life Succession: The Arnault Family Drama at LVMH
Why Bernard Arnault would impress even Logan Roy
HBO’s hit series “Succession” has received critical acclaim for its dramatic portrayal of a wealthy family fighting for power and control over its media empire. The show may be based on the Murdochs, but the real-life succession family is the Arnaults. Bernard Arnault is the founder and chief executive of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company. He’s also currently the richest man in the world (if you don’t count Russia’s leader).
The Arnault family: a brief overview
Bernard Arnault is a French businessman and billionaire who has built his fortune through LVMH, which includes well-known brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Tiffany & Co. With a net worth of around $239 billion, he is the wealthiest man in the world as of this writing.
But Bernard Arnault is now 74 years old and nearing retirement age. LVMH shareholders recently agreed to raise the maximum CEO age from 75 to 80. Amidst this increase are the mass protests France has endured against raising its retirement age from 62 to 64.
If there is anyone in France who does not want to retire, it’s Bernard Arnault. With such a vast LVMH empire to manage, the succession question…
