LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault Falls Out of World’s Top 10 Richest List
According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault dropped out of the global top ten last week, the first time since 2017. His wealth fell by about US$65bn year-to-date to roughly $143bn, as tech tycoons took the top spots.
Ranking Shift and Wealth Retreat
Latest data from Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows Arnault slipped to 11th place last week, behind investor Warren Buffett. This marks his first time outside the top ten since 2017.
From the beginning of 2026 to now, Arnault's wealth has fallen by approximately US$65bn, bringing his net worth to around $143bn.
He briefly claimed the global richest title in 2022, surpassing tech billionaire Elon Musk. The top spot is now held by technology entrepreneurs.
Compensation and Tax Background
Documents disclosed by LVMH reveal that Arnault's annual salary for 2026 is €1.1m, specifically €1,138,307, unchanged from 2025.
Earlier this year, Arnault was ordered to pay €22.5m in taxes following a long-standing dispute with French tax authorities.
He has served as Chairman and CEO of LVMH since 1989, and he and his family hold approximately 50.01% of the company's equity.
Beauty Portfolio and Capital Moves
LVMH's beauty portfolio includes Guerlain, Benefit Cosmetics, and Rihanna's Fenty Beauty.
L Catterton, the private equity firm backed by LVMH, announced this year the sale of supplement brand Thorne to Procter & Gamble for $3.8bn. Thorne was founded in 1984 and received investment from L Catterton in 2023.
Arnault also publicly addressed the potential business impacts of conflict in the Middle East earlier this year.
Implications for B2B Buyers and Brands
Arnault's wealth decline reflects the sensitivity of the luxury sector to market volatility. For brands and procurement teams, shifts in upstream capital structures may affect supply chain stability and negotiation leverage.
The beauty industry is experiencing accelerated brand M&A activity, as illustrated by the L Catterton–P&G transaction. B2B platform companies should monitor capital-level developments and adjust category strategies accordingly, seizing opportunities when divested brands enter the supply chain.
Inventory management and cash flow strategies should also be optimized to counter ripple effects from financial fluctuations among upstream giants.
Source:Cosmetics Business
Note: compiled and rewritten by BIOSPHERE editors from public reporting; illustration AI-generated. See the source for full details.