The Life of Billionaire Leonardo Del Vecchio & Family

Overview

Leonardo Del Vecchio is an Italian billionaire entrepreneur who specializes in eyewear manufacturing. He is the founder of Luxottica Group, one of the largest eyewear companies in the world, and has been praised for his innovative and strategic leadership. Del Vecchio’s net worth is estimated to be $25.9 billion as of 2021, placing him among the richest people in the world.

Early Life and Education

Leonardo Del Vecchio was born on May 22, 1935, in Milan, Italy. His mother was a housemaid and his father died when he was just seven years old. As a result, Del Vecchio grew up in an orphanage and was raised by his uncle and aunt. He left school at the age of 14 and began working in a factory making molds for auto parts.

Career and Achievements

In the early 1960s, Del Vecchio moved to Agordo, a small town in the Dolomite Mountains, where he founded his first company, making eyeglass frames. In 1967, he merged his company with another eyewear manufacturer and formed Luxottica Group, which went public in 1990. The company has since acquired several high-profile brands, including Ray-Ban and Oakley, and operates more than 8,000 stores worldwide.

Del Vecchio’s success has earned him numerous awards and accolades, including the Leonardo da Vinci Award for Innovation in 2006 and the Order of Merit for Labour from the Italian government in 2012. In addition to his work with Luxottica, he is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of health and education.

Personal Life

Leonardo Del Vecchio is married and has six children. He is known for his privacy and rarely speaks to the media. However, he is actively involved in the management of Luxottica and continues to guide the company’s growth and expansion.

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