Bernard Arnault overtakes Elon Musk, secures title of world’s richest person

ALLMEDIA24

In a staggering financial turnaround, Bernard Arnault, the influential chairman and CEO of luxury goods powerhouse LVMH, has overtaken Elon Musk to claim the coveted position of the world’s richest individual. Arnault’s net worth skyrocketed to an impressive $207.8 billion, marking a remarkable $23.6 billion increase in a single day, according to the real-time Forbes billionaires list.

This historic shift in global wealth dynamics unfolded as Elon Musk’s Tesla faced a turbulent day in the stock market, witnessing a 13% decline that translated into a substantial $18 billion reduction in Musk’s net worth. In stark contrast, LVMH’s shares experienced a phenomenal surge, rising over 13% following reports of robust sales.

The market narrative unveils a compelling story, with LVMH boasting a market cap of $388.8 billion, though still trailing behind Tesla’s $586.14 billion. Arnault’s triumph is intrinsically tied to his role at the helm of LVMH, the parent company of iconic luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Sephora.

A pivotal chapter in Arnault’s wealth journey was the 2021 acquisition of Tiffany & Co., a landmark deal valued at nearly $16 billion, deemed the largest luxury brand acquisition in history. Arnault’s strategic investments extend beyond LVMH, with his holding company, Agache, supporting Aglaé Ventures—a venture capital firm known for backing businesses such as Netflix and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.