Francois Pinault
Born on: 21st Aug 36
Born in: France
Marital status: Married
Occupation: Kering
Update: François-Henri Pinault, the chairman and chief executive of PPR, now known as Kering.
François Pinault, an art collector, a fashionista and one of the biggest businessmen of France runs the retail company PPR in France. With the net worth of $11.5 billion he has been ranked as 67th richest person on earth but is amongst few billionaires who did not inherit his wealth. He was born in a poor peasant family in Champs-Geraux and left school at the age of 15. He gradually migrated from his initial timber business to fashion and lifestyle.
His interest in art was developed from a very tender age as he first noticed art in churches. Pinault is more known for his incredible art collection as he owns one of the rarests of contemporary art worldwide. He also owns the well known Palazzo Grassi in Venice to display his marvelous collection and acquired work directly from artists such as Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons.In 2000 one of the biggest fine arts auction house Christie's was also taken over by Frenchman François Pinault.
Recently, French luxury titan François Pinault was made a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian decoration, on New Year’s Day. Gucci, one of the most well known fashion brands in world was taken over by PPR in 2004. Pinault spent some three decades acquiring art hence in 2006 he was also ranked in first place as most powerful people in modern art.
