François-Henri Pinault

At the age of 16, François-Henri Pinault left College Saint-Martin in Rennes, France, due to being bullied by his classmates for his rural accent. He then began working at his father's lumber business.

During the Second Opium War in 1860, Anglo-French troops looted Beijing's Old Summer Palace, taking two bronze animal heads. Pinault returned these sculptures to China.

François Pinault was born in 1936 in Brittany, France. He grew up during the Nazi occupation and was known for bringing food to Allied soldiers hidden near his family's home.

In 1962, François Pinault married Louise Gautier and they had three children together. However, the couple divorced five years later.

In 1963, François Pinault founded Kering, originally a wood and building materials company, which later transitioned into a luxury goods conglomerate.

In 1970, François Pinault married Maryvonne Campbell, an antique trader who introduced him to the world of art. His interest in art started during this period.

In 1985, François-Henri Pinault completed his education at HEC School of Management, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in the business world.

In 1987, François-Henri Pinault started his career at PPR (then known as Pinault Distribution) and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the manager of the buying department.

Pinault SA, the company owned by François Pinault, went public on the Paris stock market in 1988 to raise capital for diversification.

In 1993, François-Henri Pinault became the president of CFAO, a subsidiary of PPR, showcasing his leadership skills and strategic vision within the company.

In 1994, the Pinault-Printemps Group was renamed to Pinault-Printemps-Redoute after the merger of La Redoute, a French multi-line retailer, within the group.

By 1997, François-Henri Pinault had taken on the role of CEO at Fnac, further solidifying his position within the retail sector and demonstrating his ability to lead major companies.

In 1998, François-Henri Pinault and his then-wife Dorothée Lepère welcomed their son François, expanding their family.

In 1999, François Pinault bought a controlling stake in Gucci Group, shifting the direction of the business towards luxury goods.

In February 2000, François-Henri Pinault was appointed as the deputy chief executive officer of PPR's digital strategy, playing a key role in the launch of PPR Interactive.

The Pinault family acquired the Florentine leather goods company Gucci in 2001, marking the beginning of their reign as a luxury powerhouse.

In May 2003, François-Henri Pinault was elected as the vice president of the board at PPR, marking a significant step in his career within the company.

In 2004, François and Maryvonne Pinault were seen arriving at the Elysee palace for a state dinner.

In March 2005, François-Henri Pinault assumed the roles of President and CEO of PPR, overseeing its transformation into a global luxury fashion group and making strategic decisions to enhance its portfolio.

In October 2006, François-Henri Pinault and supermodel Linda Evangelista welcomed their son Augustin James, marking a new chapter in their lives.

On September 21, 2007, François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek welcomed their daughter Valentina, adding to their family.

In 2008, François-Henri Pinault established the Kering Foundation with a mission to combat violence against women.

On February 14, 2009, François-Henri Pinault and actress Salma Hayek tied the knot in Paris, marking a significant moment in their relationship.

In 2011, François-Henri Pinault implemented various ecological and social initiatives, such as environmental profit-and-loss statements and sustainable python farming.

In 2012, François-Henri Pinault purchased the Villa Greystones in Dinard, France, originally designed by Michel Roux-Spitz, a historical monument in 2019.

In June 2013, François-Henri Pinault changed PPR's name to Kering, reflecting his Breton heritage and the company's shift towards a focus on luxury brands.

In 2015, François-Henri Pinault initiated the Women in Motion program in collaboration with the Cannes Film Festival to address and raise awareness about gender-related issues in the film industry.

In 2016, François-Henri Pinault initiated a project to renovate the Bourse de Commerce building in Paris to establish a contemporary art museum under the Pinault Collection.

In 2017, François-Henri Pinault launched the $100-million investment fund Red River West to support Artémis' investments in the technology sector.

In January 2018, Kering, under François-Henri Pinault's leadership, was named the leading sustainable textile, apparel, and luxury goods corporation in the Corporate Knights Global 100 index, acknowledging its commitment to environmental responsibility.

After the Notre Dame de Paris fire on 15 April 2019, the Pinault family pledged 100 million euros as a donation to the reconstruction works and repairs of the cathedral.

Following the Annual General Meeting on April 22, 2021, François-Henri Pinault's term as Chairman and CEO of Kering was renewed until the end of the Annual General Meeting in 2024.

In 2022, François-Henri Pinault pledged to finance the restoration of the Chapelle Saint-Michel on top of the Monts d'Arrée, which was deteriorated by a wildfire. He also bought the villa Bel-Esbat located near Villa Greystones in Dinard.

In 2023, François Pinault and his family purchased a majority stake in talent agency Creative Artists Agency, expanding their portfolio.