Europe’s richest man worth £23bn more than the two runner-ups combined

Europe is a continent awash with money and billionaires, who have made their fortunes in a variety of businesses and enterprises. A Forbes survey from 2022 estimated that there were over 500 of them, with Germany leading the way at the time with the most number of wealthy titans.

A year later, Germany was still top of the pops of the billionaire league, with 170. Coming in a very respectful second place was the United Kingdom, which in 2023 boasted 122. However, Europe’s wealthiest individual comes from France, which has around 72 billionaires.

Bernard Arnault oversees the LVMH empire of 75 fashion and cosmetics brands, including Louis Vuitton and Sephora.

He is estimated to be worth an eye-watering US$233 billion (£172bn), making him the richest of the richest by a long stretch.

In second and third place come Spain’s Amanico Ortega and France’s Francoise Betencourt Meyers, whose combined estimated wealth comes to £149 billion – still £23 billion short of Arnault’s total.

Arnault’s father made a small fortune in construction, while Bernard got his start by buying Christian Dior in 1984 for £11 million using money from the family firm.

The billionaire has five children, all of whom have followed their dad into the business and occupy various positions at LVMH.

LVMH snapped up the famous American jeweller Tiffany & Co in 2021 for US$15.8 billion (£12bn), believed to be the biggest luxury brand acquisition ever.

The company was the main sponsor of the 2024 Paris Olympics and together with Arnault contributed €200 million (£168m) to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Arnault has been married since 1991 to Hélène Mercier, a Canadian concert pianist, who has performed regularly in Europe and North America as a soloist and chamber musician.

It is rumoured that Bernard wooed her by playing Chopin and other classical composers on his piano.

Amancio Ortega Gaona is one of the wealthiest clothing retailers in the world and a pioneer in fast fashion.

He cofounded Inditex, known for its Zara fashion chain, with his ex-wife Rosalia Mera in 1975, and owns about 60% of the company, which has eight brands, including Massimo Dutti and Pull & Bear and 5,000 stores around the world.

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is a French businesswoman, philanthropist, writer, and billionaire heiress.

She is the only child and heir of Liliane Bettencourt, and the granddaughter of Eugène Schueller, founder of L’Oréal.