Leonardo Del Vecchio
Fashion and Retail

Leonardo Del Vecchio Net Worth

Leonardo Del Vecchio, born in Milan, Italy in 1935, is the founder of eyewear giant Luxottica. In 2017, Luxottica announced plans to merge with French lens manufacturer Essilor, creating the world's largest producer and retailer of sunglasses and prescription glasses. Del Vecchio founded Luxottica in 1961 and has since acquired popular brands and retailers. He also holds stakes in several companies, including Assicurazioni Generali, Foncière des Régions and UniCredit. Del Vecchio's success is remarkable considering his humble beginnings; he was sent to an orphanage at age 7 and apprenticed at a factory to put himself through design school at age 14. His son Claudio owns U.S. men's retailer Brooks Brothers.
Leonardo Del Vecchio is a member of Fashion and Retail

Age, Biography and Wiki

Birth Day May 22, 1935
Birth Place Milan, Italy, Italy
Age 88 YEARS OLD
Birth Sign Gemini
Residence Milan
Citizenship Italy
Education High school
Occupation Founder and Chairman of Luxottica
Known for Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, Ray-Ban, Oakley
Spouse(s) Married
Children Claudio, Marisa, Paola, Leonardo Maria, Luca, Clemente

💰 Net worth: $34.4 Billion (2024)

Leonardo Del Vecchio, a renowned figure in the fashion and retail industry in Italy, is anticipated to possess an astonishing net worth of $34.4 billion by 2024. With his exceptional entrepreneurial skills and visionary leadership, he has successfully built a vast empire of luxury eyewear brands, including world-famous names like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Del Vecchio's profound impact on the fashion world has not only made him one of the wealthiest individuals in Italy but also gained him immense recognition as a tycoon with a remarkable eye for style and innovation.

2009 $6.3 Billion
2010 $10.5 Billion
2011 $11 Billion
2012 $11.5 Billion
2013 $15.3 Billion
2014 $19.2 Billion
2015 $20.4 Billion
2016 $18.7 Billion
2017 $17.9 Billion
2018 $22.33 Billion

Biography/Timeline

1935

Leonardo Del Vecchio was born in 1935 in Milan, Italy, to an impoverished family. He began his career as an apprentice to a tool and die maker in Milan, but decided to turn his metalworking skills to make spectacle parts. So in 1961 he moved to Agordo in the province of Belluno, which is home to most of the Italian eyewear industry. The new company was Luxottica s.a.s., a limited partnership. In 1967, he started selling complete eyeglass frames under the Luxottica brand, and in 1971 he entered the contract Manufacturing Business.

1974

In 1974, he acquired Scarrone, a distribution company. In 1981 the company set up its first international subsidiary, in Germany. A licensing deal with the designer Giorgio Armani was settled in 1988.

1990

The company listed in New York in 1990, and in Milan in December 2000, joining the MIB-30 (now S&P/MIB) index in September 2003. The listing enhanced the company’s ability to acquire other brands, starting with Italian brand Vogue in 1990, Persol and US Shoe Corporation (LensCrafters) in 1995, Ray-Ban in 1999 and Sunglass Hut, Inc. in 2001. They went looking for more Retail companies, acquiring Sydney-based OPSM in 2003, Pearle Vision in 2004, Surfeyes in 2006, and Cole National in 2004. Most recently, they acquired Oakley in a US$2.1bn deal in November 2007.

Some Leonardo Del Vecchio images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.