Meet Delphine Arnault, the daughter of the world's richest man and now one of the most powerful women in fashion as the CEO of Dior

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Meet Delphine Arnault, the daughter of the world's richest man and now one of the most powerful women in fashion as the CEO of Dior
  • Delphine Arnault, eldest child of LVMH head Bernard Arnault, is taking over the top job at Christian Dior.
  • After a brief stint at McKinsey, she has worked in multiple roles for LVMH since 2000.
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Delphine Arnault was born near Paris on April 4, 1975, to Bernard Arnault and his first wife, Anne Dewavrin.

Delphine Arnault was born near Paris on April 4, 1975, to Bernard Arnault and his first wife, Anne Dewavrin.
Harald Nachtmann/Getty Images

Source: LVMH

Her father's eldest child (she has four younger brothers), she is the heiress-apparent to his luxury goods empire and fortune worth $184.7 billion.

Her father's eldest child (she has four younger brothers), she is the heiress-apparent to his luxury goods empire and fortune worth $184.7 billion.
From left: Alexandre, Frederic, and Jean Arnault, Helene Mercier, and Bernard, Delphine, and Antoine Arnault.DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Insider

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She attended primary school in Paris, with a stint in the US at a French-American school where she became fluent in English.

She attended primary school in Paris, with a stint in the US at a French-American school where she became fluent in English.
From left: Alexandre Arnault, Antoine Arnault, and Delphine Arnault.Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

Source: FT

After graduating from the London School of Economics in 1997, Delphine Arnault took a job at McKinsey.

After graduating from the London School of Economics in 1997, Delphine Arnault took a job at McKinsey.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Source: LVMH

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"I was learning strategy," she told the Financial Times. "In a presentation in America they would start with the conclusion and say how they got there, and I found that very interesting. It was straight to the point."

"I was learning strategy," she told the Financial Times. "In a presentation in America they would start with the conclusion and say how they got there, and I found that very interesting. It was straight to the point."
LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault onboard his private jet between Beijing and Shanghai on October 11, 2004.Marc DEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Source: FT

Two years later she joined the fashion designer John Galliano's brand to gain more industry experience. At the time, Galliano was also Dior's creative director.

Two years later she joined the fashion designer John Galliano's brand to gain more industry experience. At the time, Galliano was also Dior's creative director.
Raphael GAILLARDE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Source: LVMH

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In 2005, she married Italian wine heir Alessandro Vallarino Gancia in what Forbes called "France's wedding of the year," but the couple divorced in 2010.

In 2005, she married Italian wine heir Alessandro Vallarino Gancia in what Forbes called "France's wedding of the year," but the couple divorced in 2010.
DERRICK CEYRAC/AFP/Getty Images

Source: Forbes

She then began a relationship with French telecom billionaire Xavier Niel, with whom she now has two children.

She then began a relationship with French telecom billionaire Xavier Niel, with whom she now has two children.
Kima Ventures

Source: FT

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When video footage of Galliano making anti-semitic remarks led to his ouster from Dior in 2011, Arnault is credited with managing to shield the company from fallout and elevate his replacement, Raf Simons.

When video footage of Galliano making anti-semitic remarks led to his ouster from Dior in 2011, Arnault is credited with managing to shield the company from fallout and elevate his replacement, Raf Simons.
Raf SimonsFRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty Images

Source: BoF

Since 2013, Ms. Arnault has been in charge of all product-related activities for Louis Vuitton, the biggest brand at LVMH.

Since 2013, Ms. Arnault has been in charge of all product-related activities for Louis Vuitton, the biggest brand at LVMH.
Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Source: LVMH

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She told the FT her managerial style is "quite calm," though she's known to make surprise visits to stores on busy Saturday afternoons.

She told the FT her managerial style is "quite calm," though she's known to make surprise visits to stores on busy Saturday afternoons.
Miguel MEDINA / AFP

Source: FT

At 43, Arnault became the youngest member — and second woman — on the LVMH executive committee when she joined in 2019.

At 43, Arnault became the youngest member — and second woman — on the LVMH executive committee when she joined in 2019.
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Source: MDS

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In January 2023, LVMH announced she would take over the CEO role at Christian Dior, replacing Pietro Beccari, who moves to run Louis Vuitton.

In January 2023, LVMH announced she would take over the CEO role at Christian Dior, replacing Pietro Beccari, who moves to run Louis Vuitton.
Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Source: LVMH

"Under her leadership, the desirability of Louis Vuitton products advanced significantly, enabling the brand to regularly set new sales records," her father said in a statement. "Her keen insights and incomparable experience will be decisive assets in driving the ongoing development of Christian Dior."

"Under her leadership, the desirability of Louis Vuitton products advanced significantly, enabling the brand to regularly set new sales records," her father said in a statement. "Her keen insights and incomparable experience will be decisive assets in driving the ongoing development of Christian Dior."
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As a group, LVMH posted over $60 billion in sales in the first three quarters of 2022, up 28% from the same period in 2021. The company doesn't separate financial information by brand.

As a group, LVMH posted over $60 billion in sales in the first three quarters of 2022, up 28% from the same period in 2021. The company doesn't separate financial information by brand.
A woman walks with a Louis Vuitton shopping bag as she leaves a Louis Vuitton store in Paris September 24, 2013.REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

Source: LVMH

The move is "significant," Citi analyst Thomas Chauvet told Reuters, since "succession planning in strategic roles has been instrumental to the success of LVMH's key brands over the past 20 years."

The move is "significant," Citi analyst Thomas Chauvet told Reuters, since "succession planning in strategic roles has been instrumental to the success of LVMH's key brands over the past 20 years."
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images

Source: Reuters

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