François Pinault - Revision history

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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = François Pinault		\| name = François Pinault
	\| image = Francois_Pinault_2008.jpg		\| image = Francois_Pinault_2008.jpg
	\| image_size = 300px		\| image_size = 300px
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = August 21, 1936		\| birth_date = August 21, 1936
	\| birth_place = [[Les Champs-Géraux]], [[Brittany]], France		\| birth_place = [[Les Champs-Géraux]], [[Brittany]], France
	\| nationality = French		\| nationality = French
	\| education = Dropped out at age 16		\| education = Dropped out at age 16
	\| alma_mater = Self-educated entrepreneur		\| alma_mater = Self-educated entrepreneur
	\| occupation = Businessman, art collector, philanthropist		\| occupation = Businessman, art collector, philanthropist
	\| title = Founder, [[Kering]]<br>Founder & Chairman, [[Groupe Artémis\|Artémis]]		\| title = Founder, [[Kering]]<br>Founder & Chairman, [[Groupe Artémis\|Artémis]]
	\| spouse = Louise Gautier (m. 1962; div. 1967)<br>Maryvonne Campbell (m. 1970)		\| spouse = Louise Gautier (m. 1962; div. 1967)<br>Maryvonne Campbell (m. 1970)
	\| children = 3 (François-Henri, Dominique, Laurence)		\| children = 3 (François-Henri, Dominique, Laurence)
	\| net_worth = US$21.1 billion (Forbes, 2024)		\| net_worth = US$21.1 billion (Forbes, 2024)
	\| known_for = [[Kering]] founder<br>[[Christie's]] owner<br>Art collection (10,000+ works)		\| known_for = [[Kering]] founder<br>[[Christie's]] owner<br>Art collection (10,000+ works)
	}}		}}

	'''François Pinault''' (born 21 August 1936) is a French billionaire businessman, art collector, and philanthropist who founded what is now [[Kering]], one of the world's largest luxury goods conglomerates. Through his family holding company [[Groupe Artémis\|Artémis]], he controls a business empire that includes the auction house [[Christie's]], prestigious vineyards such as [[Château Latour]], the French football club [[Stade Rennais F.C.\|Stade Rennais]], and the talent agency [[Creative Artists Agency]] (CAA).<ref name="wikipedia">{{cite web \|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Pinault \|title=François Pinault \|work=Wikipedia \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		'''François Pinault''' (born 21 August 1936) is a French billionaire businessman, art collector, and philanthropist who founded what is now [[Kering]], one of the world's largest luxury goods conglomerates. Through his family holding company [[Groupe Artémis\|Artémis]], he controls a business empire that includes the auction house [[Christie's]], prestigious vineyards such as [[Château Latour]], the French football club [[Stade Rennais F.C.\|Stade Rennais]], and the talent agency [[Creative Artists Agency]] (CAA).<ref name="wikipedia">{{cite web \|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Pinault \|title=François Pinault \|work=Wikipedia \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

	Beginning with a small timber business in rural Brittany, Pinault built a retail and luxury goods empire through a series of aggressive acquisitions over five decades. His 1999 acquisition of a controlling stake in the [[Gucci Group]] for US$3 ~~billion—which~~ triggered one of the most bitter corporate battles in fashion history against rival [[Bernard Arnault]] of [[LVMH]]~~—marked~~ his transformation from a retail magnate into a luxury goods titan.<ref name="fashionlaw">{{cite web \|url=https://www.thefashionlaw.com/the-battle-for-the-gucci-group-part-i/ \|title=The Battle for the Gucci Group \|work=The Fashion Law \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		Beginning with a small timber business in rural Brittany, Pinault built a retail and luxury goods empire through a series of aggressive acquisitions over five decades. His 1999 acquisition of a controlling stake in the [[Gucci Group]] for US$3 billion - which triggered one of the most bitter corporate battles in fashion history against rival [[Bernard Arnault]] of [[LVMH]] - marked his transformation from a retail magnate into a luxury goods titan.<ref name="fashionlaw">{{cite web \|url=https://www.thefashionlaw.com/the-battle-for-the-gucci-group-part-i/ \|title=The Battle for the Gucci Group \|work=The Fashion Law \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

	Pinault is also one of the world's foremost art collectors, with a collection of over 10,000 contemporary artworks displayed in museums he established in Venice ([[Palazzo Grassi]] and [[Punta della Dogana]]) and Paris ([[Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection\|Bourse de Commerce]]). As of December 2024, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates his net worth at US$21.1 billion.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/francois-pinault/ \|title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index: François Pinault \|work=Bloomberg \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		Pinault is also one of the world's foremost art collectors, with a collection of over 10,000 contemporary artworks displayed in museums he established in Venice ([[Palazzo Grassi]] and [[Punta della Dogana]]) and Paris ([[Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection\|Bourse de Commerce]]). As of December 2024, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates his net worth at US$21.1 billion.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/francois-pinault/ \|title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index: François Pinault \|work=Bloomberg \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

	== Early life ==		== Early life ==
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	Pinault emerged as Gucci's savior. In March 1999, PPR purchased a controlling 42% stake in the Gucci Group for US$3 billion, diluting LVMH's holdings and thwarting Arnault's takeover attempt. The move triggered intense legal battles and years of acrimony between the two French billionaires.<ref name="quartr-gucci">{{cite web \|url=https://quartr.com/insights/company-research/kerings-rise-to-power-the-epic-battle-for-gucci \|title=Kering's Rise to Power: The Epic Battle for Gucci \|work=Quartr \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		Pinault emerged as Gucci's savior. In March 1999, PPR purchased a controlling 42% stake in the Gucci Group for US$3 billion, diluting LVMH's holdings and thwarting Arnault's takeover attempt. The move triggered intense legal battles and years of acrimony between the two French billionaires.<ref name="quartr-gucci">{{cite web \|url=https://quartr.com/insights/company-research/kerings-rise-to-power-the-epic-battle-for-gucci \|title=Kering's Rise to Power: The Epic Battle for Gucci \|work=Quartr \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

	The conflict finally ended on 10 September 2001, when Arnault agreed to sell LVMH's remaining Gucci shares to Pinault for US$806 ~~million—news~~ that broke just hours before the [[September 11 attacks]]. The settlement was described as "one of the most bitter fights in corporate history."<ref name="fashionlaw-case" />		The conflict finally ended on 10 September 2001, when Arnault agreed to sell LVMH's remaining Gucci shares to Pinault for US$806 million - news that broke just hours before the [[September 11 attacks]]. The settlement was described as "one of the most bitter fights in corporate history."<ref name="fashionlaw-case" />

	=== Building the luxury empire ===		=== Building the luxury empire ===
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	=== Development ===		=== Development ===

	Pinault's passion for contemporary art developed in the 1980s, partly through the influence of his second wife Maryvonne, an antique dealer. He began collecting works by 20th-century masters and contemporary artists, eventually amassing one of the world's largest private art ~~collections—estimated~~ at more than 10,000 works.<ref name="artnews">{{cite web \|url=https://www.artnews.com/art-collectors/top-200-profiles/francois-pinault/ \|title=François Pinault \|work=ARTnews Top 200 Collector \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		Pinault's passion for contemporary art developed in the 1980s, partly through the influence of his second wife Maryvonne, an antique dealer. He began collecting works by 20th-century masters and contemporary artists, eventually amassing one of the world's largest private art collections - estimated at more than 10,000 works.<ref name="artnews">{{cite web \|url=https://www.artnews.com/art-collectors/top-200-profiles/francois-pinault/ \|title=François Pinault \|work=ARTnews Top 200 Collector \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

	The collection includes works by artists such as [[Jeff Koons]], [[Damien Hirst]], [[Takashi Murakami]], [[Cindy Sherman]], [[Maurizio Cattelan]], and many others. Pinault has been ranked consistently among the world's top art collectors by ARTnews.<ref name="artnews" />		The collection includes works by artists such as [[Jeff Koons]], [[Damien Hirst]], [[Takashi Murakami]], [[Cindy Sherman]], [[Maurizio Cattelan]], and many others. Pinault has been ranked consistently among the world's top art collectors by ARTnews.<ref name="artnews" />
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	'''Paris:'''		'''Paris:'''
	* '''[[Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection\|Bourse de Commerce]]''' - A historic building near the [[Louvre]], opened in 2021 after a US$170 million renovation designed by Tadao Ando		* '''[[Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection\|Bourse de Commerce]]''' - A historic building near the [[Louvre]], opened in 2021 after a US$170 million renovation designed by Tadao Ando

	The Paris museum was originally planned to open in June 2020 but was delayed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="luxatic">{{cite web \|url=https://luxatic.com/francois-pinault-the-art-collector-and-businessman/ \|title=François Pinault, the art collector and businessman \|work=Luxatic \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>		The Paris museum was originally planned to open in June 2020 but was delayed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="luxatic">{{cite web \|url=https://luxatic.com/francois-pinault-the-art-collector-and-businessman/ \|title=François Pinault, the art collector and businessman \|work=Luxatic \|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>
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	=== Notre-Dame donations ===		=== Notre-Dame donations ===

	The rivalry famously played out following the [[Notre-Dame de Paris fire\|2019 fire that damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral]]. The Pinault family announced a donation of €113 million for reconstruction. Less than 24 hours later, Arnault pledged €200 ~~million—widely~~ seen as an act of one-upmanship. Both families ultimately declined to accept tax benefits for their donations.<ref name="neweuropean" />		The rivalry famously played out following the [[Notre-Dame de Paris fire\|2019 fire that damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral]]. The Pinault family announced a donation of €113 million for reconstruction. Less than 24 hours later, Arnault pledged €200 million - widely seen as an act of one-upmanship. Both families ultimately declined to accept tax benefits for their donations.<ref name="neweuropean" />

	=== Hollywood competition ===		=== Hollywood competition ===

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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = François Pinault		\| name = François Pinault
	\| image =		\| image = Francois_Pinault_2008.jpg
	\| image_size = 300px		\| image_size = 300px
	\| caption =		\| caption =

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	\| nationality = French		\| nationality = French
	\| education = Dropped out at age 16		\| education = Dropped out at age 16
			\| alma_mater = Self-educated entrepreneur
	\| occupation = Businessman, art collector, philanthropist		\| occupation = Businessman, art collector, philanthropist
	\| title = Founder, [[Kering]]<br>Founder & Chairman, [[Groupe Artémis\|Artémis]]		\| title = Founder, [[Kering]]<br>Founder & Chairman, [[Groupe Artémis\|Artémis]]

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	\| image_size = 300px		\| image_size = 300px
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = ~~{{Birth date and age\|~~1936~~\|8\|21}}~~		\| birth_date = August 21, 1936
	\| birth_place = [[Les Champs-Géraux]], [[Brittany]], France		\| birth_place = [[Les Champs-Géraux]], [[Brittany]], France
	\| nationality = French		\| nationality = French

Maintenance script: Created comprehensive CEO article covering timber origins, Pinault SA IPO 1988, PPR retail empire, 1999 Gucci battle against Bernard Arnault ($3B acquisition), Christie's ownership, Kering transformation, 10,000+ artwork collection, Palazzo Grassi/Punta della Dogana/Bourse de Commerce museums, CAA acquisition 2023, Notre-Dame donation, first wife Louise Gautier (3 children), second wife Maryvonne Campbell, grandchildren including Valentina with Salma Hayek

2025-12-08T11:59:50Z

Created comprehensive CEO article covering timber origins, Pinault SA IPO 1988, PPR retail empire, 1999 Gucci battle against Bernard Arnault ($3B acquisition), Christie's ownership, Kering transformation, 10,000+ artwork collection, Palazzo Grassi/Punta della Dogana/Bourse de Commerce museums, CAA acquisition 2023, Notre-Dame donation, first wife Louise Gautier (3 children), second wife Maryvonne Campbell, grandchildren including Valentina with Salma Hayek

New page

{{Infobox person
| name = François Pinault
| image =
| image_size = 300px
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1936|8|21}}
| birth_place = [[Les Champs-Géraux]], [[Brittany]], France
| nationality = French
| education = Dropped out at age 16
| occupation = Businessman, art collector, philanthropist
| title = Founder, [[Kering]]<br>Founder & Chairman, [[Groupe Artémis|Artémis]]
| spouse = Louise Gautier (m. 1962; div. 1967)<br>Maryvonne Campbell (m. 1970)
| children = 3 (François-Henri, Dominique, Laurence)
| net_worth = US$21.1 billion (Forbes, 2024)
| known_for = [[Kering]] founder<br>[[Christie's]] owner<br>Art collection (10,000+ works)
}}

'''François Pinault''' (born 21 August 1936) is a French billionaire businessman, art collector, and philanthropist who founded what is now [[Kering]], one of the world's largest luxury goods conglomerates. Through his family holding company [[Groupe Artémis|Artémis]], he controls a business empire that includes the auction house [[Christie's]], prestigious vineyards such as [[Château Latour]], the French football club [[Stade Rennais F.C.|Stade Rennais]], and the talent agency [[Creative Artists Agency]] (CAA).<ref name="wikipedia">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Pinault |title=François Pinault |work=Wikipedia |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Beginning with a small timber business in rural Brittany, Pinault built a retail and luxury goods empire through a series of aggressive acquisitions over five decades. His 1999 acquisition of a controlling stake in the [[Gucci Group]] for US$3 billion—which triggered one of the most bitter corporate battles in fashion history against rival [[Bernard Arnault]] of [[LVMH]]—marked his transformation from a retail magnate into a luxury goods titan.<ref name="fashionlaw">{{cite web |url=https://www.thefashionlaw.com/the-battle-for-the-gucci-group-part-i/ |title=The Battle for the Gucci Group |work=The Fashion Law |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Pinault is also one of the world's foremost art collectors, with a collection of over 10,000 contemporary artworks displayed in museums he established in Venice ([[Palazzo Grassi]] and [[Punta della Dogana]]) and Paris ([[Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection|Bourse de Commerce]]). As of December 2024, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates his net worth at US$21.1 billion.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/francois-pinault/ |title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index: François Pinault |work=Bloomberg |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Early life ==

François Pinault was born on 21 August 1936 in [[Les Champs-Géraux]], a small commune in the [[Côtes-d'Armor]] department in the north of [[Brittany]], western France. His father was a timber trader in the rural French countryside.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Francois-Pinault |title=François Pinault |work=Britannica Money |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Pinault attended high school in the city of [[Rennes]] but dropped out at age 16, reportedly frustrated by classmates who mocked his rural Breton accent. The experience left him with a lifelong determination to prove himself and a reputation for ruthlessness in business. "I decided that one day I would show them what I was made of," he has said of his decision to leave school.<ref name="scmp">{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3205795/inside-francois-pinaults-rags-riches-story-kering-billionaire-started-timber-business-16-then |title=Inside billionaire François Pinault's rags-to-riches story with Kering |work=South China Morning Post |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Business career ==

=== Timber origins ===

After leaving school, Pinault joined his family's timber business. In 1963, he founded his own wood-trading company, Société Pinault. The company grew steadily and began diversifying by acquiring distressed companies facing bankruptcy, restructuring them, and either selling them at a profit or integrating them into the group.<ref name="wikipedia" />

One of his early major acquisitions was Chapelle Darblay, a troubled paper company that Pinault restructured and turned profitable. His strategy of acquiring struggling businesses, often using government aid for restructuring, and then selling or transforming them became his signature approach to building wealth.<ref name="neweuropean">{{cite news |url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/the-most-expensive-and-glittering-feud-in-history/ |title=The most expensive (and glittering) feud in history |work=The New European |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== Pinault SA and the retail empire ===

On 25 October 1988, Pinault took his company public on the [[Paris Bourse]] as Pinault SA. The IPO provided capital for expansion into retail, and Pinault embarked on an aggressive acquisition spree throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref name="wikipedia" />

Major acquisitions included:
* '''[[CFAO]]''' - Specialized distribution company operating in Africa
* '''[[Conforama]]''' - Major French furniture retailer
* '''[[Printemps]]''' - Iconic French department store chain (acquired 1992)
* '''[[La Redoute]]''' - France's largest mail-order company
* '''[[Fnac]]''' - Books and electronics retailer

Following the acquisition of Printemps and La Redoute, the company was renamed [[Pinault-Printemps-Redoute]] (PPR) in 1994.<ref name="quartr">{{cite web |url=https://quartr.com/insights/business-philosophy/from-timber-to-luxury-the-story-of-francois-henri-pinault-and-kering |title=From Timber to Luxury: The Story of François-Henri Pinault and Kering |work=Quartr |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== Artémis holding company ===

In 1992, Pinault established [[Groupe Artémis|Artémis]] as the Pinault family's private holding company to manage investments separate from the publicly traded PPR. Artémis holds the family's controlling stake in what is now Kering, as well as a portfolio of other investments including Christie's, vineyards, sports teams, and media properties.<ref name="wikipedia" />

=== Shift to luxury: The Gucci battle ===

By the late 1990s, Pinault recognized that the future of retail was uncertain and began shifting his focus toward luxury goods. The transformation culminated in one of the most dramatic corporate battles in fashion history.<ref name="fashionlaw" />

In January 1999, [[Bernard Arnault]]'s [[LVMH]] began secretly acquiring shares in [[Gucci]], eventually amassing a 26.7% stake. LVMH appeared poised for a hostile takeover of the Italian luxury brand. Gucci's management, led by CEO Domenico De Sole and creative director [[Tom Ford]], desperately sought a "white knight" to fend off Arnault.<ref name="fashionlaw-case">{{cite web |url=https://www.thefashionlaw.com/case-study-the-battle-for-the-gucci-group-page/ |title=The Battle for Gucci: A Corporate War Like No Other |work=The Fashion Law |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Pinault emerged as Gucci's savior. In March 1999, PPR purchased a controlling 42% stake in the Gucci Group for US$3 billion, diluting LVMH's holdings and thwarting Arnault's takeover attempt. The move triggered intense legal battles and years of acrimony between the two French billionaires.<ref name="quartr-gucci">{{cite web |url=https://quartr.com/insights/company-research/kerings-rise-to-power-the-epic-battle-for-gucci |title=Kering's Rise to Power: The Epic Battle for Gucci |work=Quartr |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

The conflict finally ended on 10 September 2001, when Arnault agreed to sell LVMH's remaining Gucci shares to Pinault for US$806 million—news that broke just hours before the [[September 11 attacks]]. The settlement was described as "one of the most bitter fights in corporate history."<ref name="fashionlaw-case" />

=== Building the luxury empire ===

Following his victory over LVMH, Pinault rapidly expanded his luxury portfolio. PPR acquired:

* '''[[Yves Saint Laurent (brand)|Yves Saint Laurent]]''' - French fashion house
* '''[[Boucheron]]''' - French jewelry company (2000)
* '''[[Balenciaga]]''' - Spanish fashion house (2001)
* '''[[Alexander McQueen (brand)|Alexander McQueen]]''' - British fashion house

In 2003, Pinault handed management of the business to his son [[François-Henri Pinault]], though he remained involved through Artémis. Under François-Henri's leadership, the group continued acquiring luxury brands including [[Brioni]], [[Girard-Perregaux]], and [[Pomellato]].<ref name="wikipedia" />

In June 2013, PPR was renamed [[Kering]] to reflect its transformation into a pure luxury goods company. The name derives from the Breton word for "home" (''ker''), honoring Pinault's Breton origins.<ref name="quartr" />

=== Christie's and other investments ===

In 1998, Pinault acquired a majority stake in the [[Christie's|Christie's auction house]] for US$1.2 billion. The acquisition signaled his growing interest in art and positioned him as a major force in the global art market.<ref name="britannica" />

Artémis controls an extensive portfolio of investments beyond Kering:

'''Vineyards:'''
* [[Château Latour]] (Bordeaux)
* [[Clos de Tart]] (Burgundy)
* [[Domaine d'Eugénie]] (Vosne-Romanée)
* [[Château Grillet]] (Rhône Valley)
* [[Eisele Vineyard]] (Napa Valley)
* [[Jacquesson]] champagne

'''Media and entertainment:'''
* [[Le Point]] - French news magazine (acquired 1997)
* [[Creative Artists Agency]] - 53% stake acquired September 2023 for US$7 billion

'''Sports and leisure:'''
* [[Stade Rennais F.C.]] - French football club (owned since 1998)
* [[Ponant]] - Luxury cruise company (acquired 2015)

<ref name="goodreturns">{{cite web |url=https://www.goodreturns.in/fran-ois-pinault-family-net-worth-and-biography-blnr31.html |title=François Pinault & family |work=Goodreturns |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Art collection ==

=== Development ===

Pinault's passion for contemporary art developed in the 1980s, partly through the influence of his second wife Maryvonne, an antique dealer. He began collecting works by 20th-century masters and contemporary artists, eventually amassing one of the world's largest private art collections—estimated at more than 10,000 works.<ref name="artnews">{{cite web |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-collectors/top-200-profiles/francois-pinault/ |title=François Pinault |work=ARTnews Top 200 Collector |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

The collection includes works by artists such as [[Jeff Koons]], [[Damien Hirst]], [[Takashi Murakami]], [[Cindy Sherman]], [[Maurizio Cattelan]], and many others. Pinault has been ranked consistently among the world's top art collectors by ARTnews.<ref name="artnews" />

=== Museums ===

Pinault established several museums to display his collection:

'''Venice:'''
* '''[[Palazzo Grassi]]''' - An 18th-century palace on the [[Grand Canal (Venice)|Grand Canal]], acquired in 2005 and renovated by architect [[Tadao Ando]]
* '''[[Punta della Dogana]]''' - A former customs house at the tip of [[Dorsoduro]], opened in 2009 after renovation by Ando

'''Paris:'''
* '''[[Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection|Bourse de Commerce]]''' - A historic building near the [[Louvre]], opened in 2021 after a US$170 million renovation designed by Tadao Ando

The Paris museum was originally planned to open in June 2020 but was delayed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="luxatic">{{cite web |url=https://luxatic.com/francois-pinault-the-art-collector-and-businessman/ |title=François Pinault, the art collector and businessman |work=Luxatic |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Rivalry with Bernard Arnault ==

The relationship between François Pinault and [[Bernard Arnault]], head of rival luxury conglomerate [[LVMH]], has been one of the defining rivalries in global business. Once friends, the two fell out permanently during the 1999 Gucci battle and have competed fiercely ever since across business, art, and philanthropy.<ref name="robbreport">{{cite web |url=https://robbreport.com/style/fashion/bernard-arnault-vs-francois-pinault-best-billionaire-2863135/ |title=Bernard Arnault vs. François Pinault: Who Is the World's Most Dominant French Billionaire? |work=Robb Report |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== Art rivalry ===

Both men are major art collectors and have established museums in Paris, creating what critics have called "dueling museums." Arnault's [[Fondation Louis Vuitton]], designed by [[Frank Gehry]], opened in 2014; Pinault's Bourse de Commerce opened in 2021. Art world observers have noted the competitive dimension to their collecting and museum-building.<ref name="artnews-rivalry">{{cite news |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/francois-pinault-bernard-arnault-fashion-titans-behind-two-dueling-museums-in-paris-1234757381/ |title=François Pinault vs. Bernard Arnault: The Fashion Titans Behind Two Dueling Museums in Paris |work=ARTnews |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== Notre-Dame donations ===

The rivalry famously played out following the [[Notre-Dame de Paris fire|2019 fire that damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral]]. The Pinault family announced a donation of €113 million for reconstruction. Less than 24 hours later, Arnault pledged €200 million—widely seen as an act of one-upmanship. Both families ultimately declined to accept tax benefits for their donations.<ref name="neweuropean" />

=== Hollywood competition ===

In September 2023, Artémis acquired a 53% stake in talent agency [[Creative Artists Agency]] for approximately US$7 billion. Months later, Arnault responded by launching 22 Montaigne Entertainment, a new entertainment studio, in partnership with former CAA executives.<ref name="robbreport-hollywood">{{cite news |url=https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/bernard-arnault-francois-henri-pinault-hollywood-battle-1235582165/ |title=LVMH vs Kering: Inside Bernard Arnault and François-Henri Pinault's Battle to Conquer Hollywood |work=Robb Report |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Philanthropy ==

=== Notre-Dame reconstruction ===

Following the 2019 Notre-Dame fire, the Pinault family pledged €113 million toward reconstruction of the cathedral. Pinault notably declined to accept tax benefits for the donation.<ref name="wikipedia" />

=== Environmental causes ===

Pinault has made significant contributions to environmental conservation and the restoration of historical buildings in France.<ref name="mabumbe">{{cite web |url=https://mabumbe.com/people/francois-pinault-age-net-worth-biography-family/ |title=François Pinault Age, Net Worth, Biography & Family |work=Mabumbe |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

=== First marriage ===

In 1962, Pinault married Louise Gautier. They had three children:<ref name="pressfarm">{{cite web |url=https://press.farm/francois-pinaults-family-personal-life-career/ |title=François Pinault's Family: Personal Life of Kering CEO and Career |work=Press Farm |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

* '''[[François-Henri Pinault]]''' (born 1962) - Former CEO of Kering, married to actress [[Salma Hayek]]
* '''Dominique Pinault'''
* '''Laurence Pinault'''

The couple divorced in 1967 after five years of marriage.<ref name="wikipedia" />

=== Second marriage ===

In 1970, Pinault married Maryvonne Campbell, an antique dealer in Rennes. She introduced him to the world of art collecting, which became one of his greatest passions. The couple has remained together for over 50 years and has one daughter, Florence Pinault Rogers.<ref name="pressfarm" />

Maryvonne Pinault has largely stayed out of the public eye but occasionally attends fashion events and has been supportive of her husband's philanthropic activities.<ref name="hello">{{cite news |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/502924/salma-hayek-relationship-with-mother-in-law-revealed-lavish-family-life/ |title=Salma Hayek's relationship with billionaire mother-in-law revealed |work=Hello! Magazine |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== Grandchildren ===

Through his son François-Henri, Pinault has four grandchildren:

* François Pinault (born 1998) - with François-Henri's first wife Dorothée Lepère
* Mathilde Pinault (born 2001) - with Dorothée Lepère
* Augustin James Evangelista (born 2006) - François-Henri's son with supermodel [[Linda Evangelista]]
* Valentina Paloma Pinault (born 2007) - with [[Salma Hayek]]

<ref name="therichest">{{cite web |url=https://www.therichest.com/rich-powerful/the-richest-members-of-the-pinault-family-ranked/ |title=The Richest Members Of The Pinault Family, Ranked |work=TheRichest |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

=== Hobbies ===

Pinault is a licensed helicopter pilot and enjoys flying. Despite his immense wealth, he is known for being relatively private and reserved compared to other billionaires of his stature.<ref name="mabumbe" />

== See also ==
* [[Kering]]
* [[François-Henri Pinault]]
* [[Groupe Artémis]]
* [[Christie's]]
* [[Bernard Arnault]]
* [[LVMH]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.kering.com/ Kering]
* [https://www.pinaultcollection.com/ Pinault Collection]
* [https://www.christies.com/ Christie's]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinault, François}}
[[Category:Chief executive officers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:French billionaires]]
[[Category:French businesspeople]]
[[Category:French art collectors]]
[[Category:French philanthropists]]
[[Category:People from Côtes-d'Armor]]
[[Category:Kering]]
[[Category:Luxury goods people]]