François Pinault is a French billionaire businessman and art collector

 

François Pinault is a French billionaire businessman and art collector who was born on August 21, 1936, in Les Champs-Géraux, France. He is the founder and former CEO of Kering, a luxury goods holding company that owns brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta.

Pinault started his career in the timber industry, building his fortune through the acquisition and management of timber companies. In the 1980s, he diversified his holdings into retail, eventually founding PPR (Pinault-Printemps-Redoute), which later became Kering.

Under Pinault's leadership, Kering grew into one of the world's largest luxury goods companies, with a portfolio of brands that also includes Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, and Brioni. Pinault has also been known for his interest in contemporary art, and has amassed a large collection that includes works by artists such as Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst.

In addition to his business and art interests, Pinault has been actively involved in philanthropy. He established the François Pinault Foundation in 2003, which supports contemporary art and culture, and he has also donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, including disaster relief efforts and education programs.

As of September 2021, Pinault's net worth was estimated to be $53.9 billion, making him one of the richest people in France and the world. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his business and philanthropic achievements, including being inducted into the Legion of Honour, the highest order of merit in France