Bernard Arnault No: 15 billionaire-2009

Net Worth:$16.5 bil
Fortune:inherited and growing
Source:LVMH
Age:60
Country Of Citizenship:France
Residence:Paris
Industry:Luxury Goods
Education:Ecole Polytechnique de Paris, Bachelor of Arts / Science,
Marital Status:married, 5 children



France's richest man lost $9 billion in the past year as shares of his $22 billion (sales) luxury goods group, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, dropped 29%. Sailing into new waters: bought Princess Yachts, one of Britain's oldest luxury motorboat manufacturers, last summer; picked up yacht builder Royal van Lent soon after. Via his investment arm, Groupe Arnault, owns French tour operator Go Voyages and has a stake in French retailer Carrefour. Built Le Cheval Blanc in ski resort town of Courchevel, France, where he often likes to spend New Year's Eve. Also owns 2 wineries with good friend, Belgian billionaire Albert Frere. Father made small fortune in construction; Arnault put up $15 million from that business to buy Christian Dior in 1985. Still a family affair as both son Antoine, 31, and daughter, Delphine, 33, sit on LVMH's board. Wife is a concert pianist; Arnault himself reported to be an excellent piano play