Bernard Arnault slams claim his kids are feuding for control of the $142 billion LVMH empire: ‘They burst out laughing ... It is the stuff of novels’

Head of French multinational corporation LVMH Bernard Arnault (C) and his wife Helene (2R), pose with their children (from L-R) Frederic Arnault, Delphine Arnault, Antoine Arnault and Alexandre Arnault after the ceremony marking Paris' Iconic department store 'La Samaritaine' reopening after 16 years of closure on June 21, 2021 in Paris, France. (Credit: Chesnot—Getty Images)

Bernard Arnault, the seemingly unflappable CEO of the world’s leading luxury company, has taken to social media to deny claims his family is locked in a Succession-style battle for control of his empire.

The question of who will take over from 77-year-old Arnault (net worth $142 billion) atop LVMH naturally sparks intrigue: Arnault has five children, all of whom work in fashion houses owned by the business.

Suggestions of a contest between Arnault’s children are nothing new. Still, the implication of something more sinister—that the family is embroiled in Machiavellian backstabbing and plotting—will seemingly no longer be tolerated: Arnault took to X to publish a letter contradicting reporting by French outlet Le Monde.

The post, written in French, was reposted by the LVMH X account and titled “Merci.”