Francois Pinault

Date of Birth: August 21, 1936

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: [Leave blank as François Pinault is alive]

Biography

François Pinault is a prominent French businessman, born on August 21, 1936, in Les Champs-Géraux, Côtes d’Armor, Brittany, France. He is the founder of the luxury group Kering (formerly known as PPR), which owns esteemed brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. Pinault started his business career in the timber industry before shifting to retail and luxury goods. He is also known for his extensive art collection and philanthropic activities. Over the years, Pinault has built a reputation as a savvy investor and an influential figure in the global luxury market. Pinault’s journey to success was not straightforward. He left school at 16 to work for his father’s timber trading business, eventually founding his own company, Pinault SA, in 1963. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he diversified his business interests, acquiring various companies and rebranding his group as Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR). In 1999, PPR acquired a controlling stake in Gucci, marking its significant shift towards the luxury sector. In addition to his business ventures, Pinault is a passionate art collector, owning works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Damien Hirst, and Jeff Koons. His collection is housed in the Pinault Collection, with notable exhibitions at the Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana in Venice. He has also pledged significant donations to cultural and educational causes, including a €100 million donation for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral after the 2019 fire.

5 Interesting Facts about Francois Pinault

1. François Pinault founded Kering, a multinational corporation specializing in luxury goods, in 1963.

2. Pinault is one of the world’s leading art collectors, with a collection that includes works by Picasso, Koons, and Hirst.

3. In 2018, he was ranked as the 30th richest person in the world by Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

4. Pinault’s son, François-Henri Pinault, is married to actress Salma Hayek.

5. He pledged €100 million for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral after the 2019 fire.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francois Pinault

1. “Success is not a destination, it’s a journey.”

2. “In business, the only constant is change.”

3. “You must always be ahead of the curve, anticipating what’s next.”

4. “Luxury is the balance between the extremes of extravagance and simplicity.”

5. “Art is not just an investment; it is a passion.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

François Pinault’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $50 billion.

Children

François Pinault has three children: 1. François-Henri Pinault – CEO of Kering and married to actress Salma Hayek. 2. Laurence Pinault – Private individual with limited public information. 3. Dominique Pinault – Private individual with limited public information.