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Bernard Arnault

Chairman & CEO, Lvmh

Search every verified Bernard Arnault interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a June 2026 interview with the podcast LEGEND, Bernard Arnault discussed his acquisition of the Boussac group in 1984, which was in bankruptcy at the time. He stated that the company had 12,000 employees and that he had committed to retaining 10,000, but said that commitment was not kept because conditions in the factories were worse than expected and Chinese competition was strong. He noted that the group he built from that acquisition now employs 220,000 people globally. Arnault also addressed the financial aspects of the acquisition, saying he personally invested 50 million francs and secured investors for 400 million francs, while the state provided a repayable loan of approximately 70 million euros. He claimed that since then, the group has paid the state 40 billion euros in taxes and social charges. During the interview, he mentioned that he no longer owns a private jet, having sold it several years ago.

Recent appearances

Notable quotes

“On a reçu un prêt de 70 millions. Depuis cette époque, le groupe que j'ai monté à partir de ça a payé à l'État dans 70 millions d'euros l'équivalent hein, à payer à l'État sous la forme d'impôt et de charge sociale 40 milliards.”

“On avait 12000 personnes. On s'était engagé en garder 10000 et on n' pas tenu cet engagement. Alors pourquoi on n' pas tenu cet engagement ? parce que ce qu'on a trouvé était pire dans les usines. La concurrence chinoise était très forte et on a été obligé de réduire plus fortement. Et là aussi à l'époque 12000 personnes à peu près quand on arrive le groupe qu'on a bâti à partir de là aujourd'hui mondialement en dire”

“It is the absolute fault of the French state for not understanding that companies create wealth; you don't prepare a budget by saying, purely for demagogy, 'we will first massacre the companies.'”

“With the continuation of geopolitical crises, economic uncertainty, and policies in our country that are rather against companies — taxing them as much as possible and thereby creating unemployment — I think there is reason to be a bit cautious.”

“We actively support and partner with technology startups, including those advancing blockchain and AI, not only because we believe in their potential, but because they embody the same creativity and entrepreneurship that has always defined our group LVMH.”

“Over these many years, I have valued the importance President Trump places on loyalty, commitment, and family, which resonates strongly with my own life and work. I have always admired this extraordinary energy, his decisiveness, and his willingness to act with conviction.”

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