Bernard Arnault (born 5 March 1949) is a French businessman. He is the 7th richest person in the world and France's richest person with an estimated net worth of $26 billion US dollars, according to a Forbes report in March 2007.

Business activities

As of March 2007, Arnault owns a 47.5% majority of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), along withChristian Dior SA. Arnault is the Chairman and CEO of both companies.

His daughter Delphine Arnault is actively involved in the management of LVMH.

Arnault also owned the art auction house Phillips de Pury & Company from 1999 to 2003.

Competitors

Arnault's main competitors are:

• French businessman François Pinault, whose holding company PPR owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Sergio Rossi, Bottega Veneta, Boucheron, Roger & Gallet, Bédat & Co and Christie's.

• Swiss-based Richemont, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Baume et Mercier, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, A. Lange & Söhne, Officine Panerai, Vacheron Constantin, Dunhill, Lancel, Montblanc, Montegrappa, Old England, Purdey, Chloé, and Shanghai Tang.

Controversies

In January 2007 Kathryn Blair, the daughter of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, completed an intensive French language and culture course at France's prestigious Sorbonne University. Tony Blair has been criticised for accepting an invitation on her behalf from Bernard Arnault. During Kathryn Blair's course, which ran from 12 October 2006 to 26 January 2007, she is thought to have been provided with an accommodation, security and transport package worth around £80,000.