Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio

$6.28 B

Ranked #647 in World

About Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio

Leonardo Del Vecchio, the esteemed Italian billionaire and the visionary behind Luxottica, passed away at the age of 87 due to pneumonia on June 27, 2022, in Milan. Rising from humble beginnings in Milan, Del Vecchio founded what would become the world's leading producer and retailer of eyewear, Luxottica, in 1961 in Agordo, Italy. By the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at US$24.1 billion, testament to his success in transforming eyewear fashion and manufacturing. Del Vecchio's journey from an apprentice tool and die maker to launching Luxottica's first complete spectacle frames in 1967, and subsequently acquiring several esteemed brands, highlights a remarkable career in the eyewear industry. His legacy is further cemented by significant holdings in Luxottica, Covivio, and Assicurazioni Generali, as well as his personal life, marked by three marriages and six children.

Born

May 06, 1995 in Milan, Italy

Died

June 27, 2022 (aged 27)

Source Of Wealth

Eyeglasses

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

Italy

Residence

Milan

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration, Bocconi Univerisity

Children

6, including Claudio Del Vecchio

Leonardo Del Vecchio was born on May 22, 1935, in Milan, Italy. He came from an impoverished family and had a challenging upbringing. Despite these hardships, Del Vecchio showed determination and resilience from an early age.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio: Family

Del Vecchio was married three times and had six children. He was known for his strong family values and commitment to his loved ones.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio: Career Highlights

Del Vecchio's career was marked by numerous achievements and milestones. Here are some key highlights:

Founded Luxottica s.a.s. in 1961 in Agordo, Italy.
Started selling complete spectacle frames under the Luxottica brand in 1967.
Entered the contact manufacturing business in 1971.
Acquired Scarrone, a distribution company, in 1974.
Established first international subsidiary in Germany in 1981.
Secured licensing deal with designer Giorgio Armani in 1988.
Listed Luxottica in New York in 1990 and Milan in 2000.
Acquired several brands, including Vogue, Persol, Ray-Ban, Sunglass Hut, OPSM, Pearle Vision, Surfeyes, Cole National, and Oakley.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio: Companies

Del Vecchio's business empire included several notable companies:

Luxottica: The world's largest producer and retailer of glasses and frames.
Covivio: A real estate company.
Assicurazioni Generali: An insurance company.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio: Major Achievements

Del Vecchio's major achievements include:

Building Luxottica into a global eyewear giant.
Revolutionizing the eyewear industry through innovative designs and marketing strategies.
Acquiring and successfully integrating numerous eyewear brands.
Becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in Italy.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio: Awards & Achievements

Del Vecchio received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the business world and philanthropy:

Cavaliere del Lavoro (Knight of Labor) by the Italian government in 1986.
Honorary degree in Business Administration from Bocconi University in 1999.
Honorary degree in Economics from the University of Padua in 2002.
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2015.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio: Personal Life & Legacy

Del Vecchio was known for his strong work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for innovation. He was a visionary leader who transformed the eyewear industry and left a lasting legacy.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio: Trivia

Del Vecchio was a self-made billionaire who started his career as an apprentice tool and die maker.
He was a passionate art collector and owned a significant collection of modern and contemporary art.
Del Vecchio was a philanthropist who supported various charitable causes, including healthcare and education.
He passed away from pneumonia at the age of 87 on June 27, 2022, in Milan.

Wealth History

Timeline

1935

Leonardo Del Vecchio was born in Milan, Italy, to an impoverished family.

1961

Founded Luxottica s.a.s. in Agordo, Italy.

1967

Started selling complete spectacle frames under the Luxottica brand.

1971

Entered the contact manufacturing business.

1974

Acquired Scarrone, a distribution company.

1981

Established first international subsidiary in Germany.

1988

Secured licensing deal with designer Giorgio Armani.

1990

Listed Luxottica in New York.

2000

Listed Luxottica in Milan.

2022

Passed away from pneumonia at the age of 87 on June 27, in Milan.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio : FAQs

What is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio's current net worth?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio's current net worth is $6.28 billion.

What is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio's current global rank among billionaires?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio holds the 647th position globally among billionaires.

What is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio's current ranking within the Italy?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio holds the 10th position in Italy.

What was the change in Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio's net worth compared to the previous year?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio's net worth decreased by 1.11 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 7.40 billion dollars.

What are Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio's main sources of wealth?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio's main source of income comes from Eyeglasses.

In which industry does Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio primarily operate?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

What is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio educational background?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bocconi Univerisity.

Is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio dead?

Yes, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio died on June 27, 2022 (aged 27).

How many children does Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio have?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio has 6 children.

Who was Leonardo Del Vecchio and what was he known for?

Leonardo Del Vecchio was an Italian billionaire businessman, known as the founder and chairman of Luxottica, the world's largest producer and retailer of glasses and frames.

How did Leonardo Del Vecchio start his career before founding Luxottica?

Before founding Luxottica, Leonardo Del Vecchio began his career as an apprentice tool and die maker, later turning to making spectacle parts.

What significant acquisitions and milestones did Luxottica achieve under Del Vecchio?

Under Del Vecchio, Luxottica achieved significant milestones, including acquiring brands like Vogue, Persol, Ray-Ban, and Oakley, and securing a licensing deal with Giorgio Armani. Luxottica was also listed in New York in 1990 and Milan in 2000.

When and how did Leonardo Del Vecchio pass away?

Leonardo Del Vecchio passed away from pneumonia at the age of 87 on June 27, 2022, in Milan.