No.4 Bernard Arnault

Bernard Arnault

                                                 Net Worth: $41 billion (up from $27.5 billion)

                                                 Fortune: Inherited and growing
                                                Age: 62
                                                Residence: Paris, France
                                                Country of Citizenship: France
                                                Source: Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH)
                                                Education: BA/BS, Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne
                                                Marital Status: Married

                                                Children: 5

    Bernard Arnault is a French business magnate who is best known as the chairman and chief executive of luxury group LVMH. According to Forbes magazine, Arnault is the world's 4th and Europe's richest person, with a 2011 net worth of US$41 billion. He has also been named by Forbes as "the fashion person of 2011".

     The Lord of Luxe easily retains title of richest European. Fortune surged by $13.5 billion as shares of his luxury good outfit, LVMH, rose by more than half over the past year thanks to strong demand for luxuries like Dom Perignon champagne, Cognac Hennessy, Tag Heuer watches and Louis Vuitton accessories, particularly in Asian markets like Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City. The group acquired 20% of Hermes last year. In March the Bulgari family transferred its majority holding in its brand to LVMH in exchange for LVMH shares and board seats. LVMH fired Christian Dior designer John Galliano after he apparently made anti-semitic remarks. Renaissance man also owns yacht builder Royal Van Lent, a hotel in Courchevel; has stakes in French retailer Carrefour and French tour operator Go Voyages.