
LVMH Group is a multinational luxury goods conglomerate, but who owns it? Bernard Arnault is the largest shareholder of LVMH Group, holding a 48% stake in the company.
Bernard Arnault's family has a long history with the company, and he has been instrumental in LVMH's success. His family has been involved with the company since its inception.
LVMH Group was formed in 1987 through the merger of Moët Hennessy and Louis Vuitton. The merger was a strategic move to create a luxury goods powerhouse.
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Share Ownership
LVMH's largest shareholder is Bernard Arnault & family, who own 48.4% of the company's shares. They also hold 63.9% of all votes, thanks to owning double-voting shares.
The market value of Bernard Arnault & family's stake in LVMH is $175.8 billion, as of December 2022. This is a significant portion of the company's overall market value.
Bernard Arnault & family's ownership is comprised of 242 million shares, which gives them control over 468 million shareholder votes. This is a substantial amount of voting power, allowing them to significantly influence the company's decisions.
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The Arnault family's voting power is boosted by a French law that awards an extra vote per share for long-term shareholders. This provision is designed to promote long-term shareholding, but it can also act as an anti-takeover clause.
Here is a breakdown of the top shareholders of LVMH:
The rest of the ownership is dispersed among other shareholders, with no single individual or group holding a significant stake in the company.
Bernard Arnault's Role
Bernard Arnault is the CEO and Chairman of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury goods company.
He oversees the LVMH empire of 75 fashion and cosmetics brands, including Louis Vuitton and Sephora.
As the largest shareholder of LVMH, Bernard Arnault & family owns 48.4% of its shares, which translates to a market value of $175.8 billion as of December 2022.
Bernard Arnault's holding company Agache backs venture capital firm Aglaé Ventures, which has investments in businesses such as Netflix and TikTok parent company ByteDance.
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His five children all work at LVMH, and in July 2022, he proposed a reorganization of his holding company Agache to give them equal stakes.
Bernard Arnault's vast wealth places him among the wealthiest person on earth, and it's worth noting that his children are expected to inherit the empire he built.
Company History
LVMH was founded in 1987 through the merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy, two renowned brands with rich histories that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
The history of Louis Vuitton begins in 1854 when Louis Vuitton revolutionized luggage design with his flat, stackable cases. Moët Hennessy, on the other hand, was established in 1743 by Claude Moët, a prominent French wine merchant.
Bernard Arnault played a crucial role in the formation of LVMH, initially aiding Alain Chevalier and Henry Racamier in their merger efforts.
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Co-Founding and Acquisition (1987-1989)
In 1987, LVMH was formed through the merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy, two renowned brands with rich histories dating back to 1854 and 1743, respectively.

Bernard Arnault played a pivotal role in the merger, working with Alain Chevalier and Henry Racamier to bring the two companies together.
The creation of LVMH was initially intended to prevent a hostile takeover, but Arnault's influence soon became apparent, and he began to acquire more shares in the company.
By July 1988, Arnault had formed a holding company with Guinness that held 24% of LVMH's shares, valued at $1.6 billion.
He then spent $600 million to buy an additional 13.5% of LVMH, making him the largest shareholder and further solidifying his control.
However, an internal takeover attempt by Arnault led to a power struggle with Racamier, the president of Louis Vuitton.
In January 1989, Arnault spent another $500 million to gain control of 43.5% of LVMH's shares and 35% of its voting rights, effectively securing the "blocking minority" needed to protect the company.
This move allowed Arnault to oust Racamier from the board of directors and assume the role of chairman of the executive management board on January 13, 1989.
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Since 2001: Success and Profitability

Since 2001, the company has experienced significant success and profitability. In 2001, the company launched its first product, which quickly gained popularity and established a strong customer base.
The company's revenue growth was steady, with a notable increase in sales from 2003 to 2005. During this period, the company expanded its product line to meet growing demand.
By 2007, the company had established a strong presence in the market, with a loyal customer base and a reputation for quality products. This success led to further expansion and investment in the company's operations.
The company's focus on innovation and customer satisfaction has been key to its continued success.
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Ownership Details
LVMH is owned mainly by Bernard Arnault and his family, who hold 48.4% of the company. They are the largest owners of LVMH.
The Arnault family's ownership stake is represented by Bernard Arnault, his wife, and his five children. They own LVMH SE mainly through Christian Dior SE, which they nearly fully own.
Here's a breakdown of the LVMH shareholders with a significant stake:
Holdings

LVMH is a publicly listed company, which means its ownership is dispersed among various shareholders. LVMH is traded on the Paris stock exchange under the ticker PA: MC.
The largest owner of LVMH is the Bernard Arnault & family, which owns 48.4% of the company. This ownership stake is mainly held through Christian Dior SE, which they nearly fully own.
LVMH has a unique provision in its bylaws that requires it to expire in the year 2115, a peculiarity of French law. But don't worry, this can be prolonged.
Here's a breakdown of the ownership details:
The company's headquarters are in Paris, France, and it is incorporated in France.
Group Companies
LVMH, the parent company of Louis Vuitton, has a diverse range of subsidiaries that contribute to its massive revenue of €79.2 billion in 2022. The chairman and CEO of LVMH is Bernard Arnault, who has been instrumental in shaping the company's luxury goods group.
One of the subsidiaries is Champagne des Moutiers SA, a French company that operates as grape vineyards and was founded in 1980. Manuel Karim Reman has been the CEO of the company since 2019.
Fred Paris SA is another subsidiary, a luxury jewelry company based in Paris, FR. The company offers a range of services and collections, including necklaces and pendants made of gold and diamonds.
Givenchy SA, a well-known fashion brand, was founded by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952 and is headquartered in Paris, France. The company designs, manufactures, and markets clothes for men and women, as well as perfumes, cosmetics, and other related accessories.
LVMH Fashion Group Services SAS provides business management consulting services and is based in Paris, France. Probinvest SAS, an investment fund, is also a subsidiary of LVMH.
Here are some key statistics about LVMH's subsidiaries:
Frequently Asked Questions
What brands are under LVMH?
LVMH is a parent company that owns several luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Dior, and more. Discover the full list of over 70 brands under the LVMH umbrella.
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