The Top 10 Richest French Billionaires Earned Around $60 Billion In 2020 Alone

Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, the top 10 richest people in France got a whole lot wealthier in 2020. Per CEOWORLD magazine’s report, the 10 richest people in France have added $59.62 billion to their collective net worths in the last 12 months.

The majority of these gains were at the top of the list, where 10 people now hold fortunes of over $364 billion. The top 2 richest French billionaires now hold fortunes in excess of $190 billion (Bernard Arnault and Francoise Bettencourt Meyers). Together, the duo are believed to have earned $26 billion in 12 months.

The world’s 500 richest people got wealthier, too.

$1.8 trillion – Was made by the world’s 500 richest people in 2020

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers had a particularly staggering year, reportedly growing his wealth by over $16.8 billion in one year. Bernard Arnault remains the richest person in France and in Europe. Bernard Arnault started the year worth less than $104.85 billion only to see his fortune balloon to a staggering $114 billion — a gain of $9.15 billion. The surge allowed Bernard Arnault to quickly catapult up the wealth rankings to No. 4 in the world.

The Top 10 Richest French Billionaires

1. Bernard Arnault
   Net worth: $114 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $9.15 billion
   Source of wealth: LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton
   Industry: Consumer
2. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
   Net worth: $75.8 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $16.8 billion
   Source of wealth: L’Oreal, the world’s largest cosmetics maker
   Industry: Consumer
3. Francois Pinault
   Net worth: $47.8 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $6 billion
   Source of wealth: Kering, a designer and maker of luxury goods
   Industry: Consumer
4. Alain Wertheimer
   Net worth: $39.4 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $9.30 billion
   Source of wealth: Chanel, the Parisian fragrance and fashion house
   Industry: Consumer
5. Gerard Wertheimer
   Net worth: $39.4 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $9.30 billion
   Source of wealth: Chanel, the Parisian fragrance and fashion house
   Industry: Consumer
6. Patrick Drahi
   Net worth: $14.2 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $2.39 billion
   Source of wealth: Altice Europe
   Industry: Media & Telecom
7. Emmanuel Besnier
   Net worth: $10.2 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $1.99 billion
   Source of wealth: Lactalis, the world’s largest maker of cheese
   Industry: Food & Beverage
8. Alain Merieux
   Net worth: $8.13 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $2.71 billion
   Source of wealth: BioMerieux
   Industry: Health Care
9. Laurent Dassault
   Net worth: $7.64 billion
   Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $995 million
   Source of wealth: Groupe Dassault
   Industry: Diversified
10. Olivier Dassault
    Net worth: $7.64 billion
    Net worth year-over-year change: Up by $995 million
    Source of wealth: Groupe Dassault
    Industry: Diversified