Bernard Arnault and Helene Mercier attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2018/2019 on March 6, 2018.Photo:Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty
Bernard Arnault has been married to Hélène Mercier for over three decades.
The billionaire founder of LVMH and the pianist first met at a dinner party in 1989, and wed in 1991.
“I always liked being number one,” he told theFinancial Timesof his business success in 2019. “I did not succeed at the piano, I did not succeed at tennis. I consider that success is to arrive at a point where all my teams, the group is the number one in the world.”
Although he may not have “succeeded” in becoming a professional pianist, it was his piano skills that wooed his wife. According to theFinancial Times,Arnault is a concert-level piano player and showed off his musical skills during one of his earlier dates with Mercier. He is said to have played Chopin, along with music from other classical composers.
“His hands were trembling, he was dying of fear, but he was determined to get to the end," Mercier told theWall Street Journalin 2009.
In their over 30 years of marriage, the couple have welcomed three children together. Arnault also shares daughterDelphineand sonAntoinewith his ex-wife, Anne Dewavrin.
Here’s everything to know about Bernard Arnault’s wife, Hélène Mercier.
She’s a pianist
Helene Mercier Arnault performs during “Le Concert de la Paix” on June 18, 2005 in Paris, France.Michel Dufour/WireImage
Michel Dufour/WireImage
Montreal native Mercier is a successful pianist and she began her music career at age 6, studying at theVincent d’IndySchool of Music. As a child, she won first honors at the Quebec and Canadian Music Competitions, and also came out on top at the Prague International Chamber Music Competition. As a teenager, she furthered her musical studies at theJulliard School of Music, where she studied with Sascha Gorodnitzki.
Throughout her career, she has played alongside many renowned musicians. According to herChandosbiography, these include Vladimir Spivakov, Mstislav Rostropovich and Brigitte Engerer.
She has shared her love of music with her children, and, while they never pursued it as a career, Mercier’s kids felt supported no matter their career paths.
“She always told us if we wanted to become musicians she would support us,” explained son Alexandre Arnault in a 2018 interview withThe New York Times. I’ll never know if my dad would have been happy with it. But he loves the piano.”
She and Arnault have three children together
Bernard Arnault, Helene Mercier, Antoine Arnault, Natalia Vodianova, and Frederic Arnault attend the Berluti Menswear Spring/Summer 2016 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 26, 2015.Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty
Mercier and Arnault share three children — sons Alexandre, Frédéric and Jean.
Alexandrewas born in 1992, and in 2021, he became the EVP of product and communications at Tiffany & Co. In October 2021, he married Geralde Guyot, founder of the French brand D’Estrëe, in Venice, Italy.
Frédéricwas born on Nov. 10, 1995. In 2020, he was named the CEO of TAG Watches and in January 2024, he became the CEO of LVMH Watches.
Jeanwas born in 1998. According toFashion Network, Jean studied at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and holds a master’s degree in financial mathematics. He is the director of watches development and marketing at Louis Vuitton.
In January 2024,Arnault nominatedAlexandre and Frédéric to the LVMH board.
She performed at the Library of Congress
Bernard Arnault and Helene Mercier.Stephane Cardinale/Sygma/Getty
Stephane Cardinale/Sygma/Getty
On April 11, 2018, Mercier performed at a special concert at theLibrary of Congressin Washington, D.C.
The concert was held to celebrate the Library of Congress’ acquisition of the holograph manuscript of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances for two pianos.
She and Arnault pledged $226 million towards the rebuilding of the Notre Dame
Helene Mercier and Bernard Arnault attend the “Basquiat x Warhol. Painting Four Hands” opening at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on April 3, 2023.Luc Castel/Getty
Luc Castel/Getty
After theNotre Dame fireon April 15, 2019, Arnault and Mercier pledged€200 million (over $226 million) to help repair the damaged structure.
“The Arnault family and the LVMH Group, in solidarity with this national tragedy, are committed to asset with the reconstruction of this extraordinary cathedral, symbol of France, its heritage and its unity,” a statement read, explaining the donation will go to “the fund dedicated to the reconstruction of this architectural work, which is a core part of the French History.”
She and Arnault had dinner with King Charles in 2023
Helene Mercier and Bernard Arnault arrive at the Palace of Versailles ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on September 20, 2023 in Versailles, France.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis/Getty
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis/Getty
On Sept. 20, 2023, Mercier and Arnault attended a dinner withKing CharlesandQueen Camillato honor their first official state visit to France as King and Queen. The meeting took place at Chateau de Versailles in Versailles after it was originally postponed due to protests over pension reforms in France.
Mercier wore a green floor-length gown and cape, while Arnault opted for a traditional black tuxedo and bow tie.
source: people.com
