Bernard Arnault’s annual salary as LVMH’s CEO has been revealed.
Arnault became the major shareholder of the luxury products group in 1989, taking on the role of Chair and CEO from the same date.
In addition, he serves as President of the Board of Directors of Groupe Arnault S.E., his family holding company.
Arnault’s annual gross fixed compensation for 2026 is €1.1m (€1,138,307) – the same amount as he was paid in 2025, according to a document shared by LVMH.
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Arnault is also eligible for gross variable compensation.
Documentation from LVMH’s shareholder meeting on 23 April revealed that “compensation paid to the Chair and CEO also includes a variable annual component based on the achievement of financial (quantifiable), strategic and managerial (qualitative), and CSR and sustainability‑related (quantifiable and qualitative) targets”.
The financial (quantifiable) criteria relates to growth in the group’s revenue, profit from recurring operations and cash flow relative to the budget trajectory for the year in question, and isa said to account for 50% of total variable compensation for Arnault.
Criteria related to strategy, management, CSR and sustainability account for 50% of Arnault’s total variable compensation, broken down as follows − criteria related to strategy and management (qualitative): 70%; criteria related to CSR and sustainability (quantifiable and qualitative): 30%.
While specific criteria have been determined, the finer details have not been revealed yet.
The variable portion is capped at 250% of Arnault’s fixed annual compensation.
Arnault is also provided with a company car, with value measured “in accordance with the applicable tax and social security provisions”.
Arnault oversees LVMH’s 75-plus fashion and cosmetics brands, including retailer Sephora, Rihanna’s cosmetics line Fenty Beauty and fragrance giant Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
The French luxury group had a disappointing start to 2026, offset by a strong performance by Sephora.
LVMH’s revenues in Q1 2026 decreased 6% to €19.1bn – a 1% increase on an organic basis – compared with €20.3bn in Q1 2025.
One of the richest men in the world, Arnault also owns a large amount of shares in the company, further boosted by the purchase of a further €1.4bn worth of shares in 2025.
Arnault reportedly purchased another €100m worth of stocks in early 2026, taking total shares to 757,000-plus in February 2026, worth around €407m.
This follows Arnaut’s promise to boost holdings beyond 50%.
During an earnings presentation in January 2026, Arnault said: “Our family group has about 50% of LVMH’s capital, and since now we are at the start of a new year, we are entitled to acquire a bit more.
“This year we will cross the 50% threshold.
“So, we will own over 50% of the share capital.
“So, we believe in what we do, and we are showing it in that way.”
Lead image credit: Jérémy Barande / Ecole polytechnique Université Paris-Saclay/ Wikimedia Commons