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What is Gerard Wertheimer’s Net Worth?
Gérard Wertheimer, a French billionaire businessman, has an estimated net worth of $37.8 billion. His wealth primarily stems from his co-ownership of Chanel, a globally renowned luxury brand. The Wertheimer brothers inherited the company from their father, Jacques Wertheimer, in 1996.
Chanel’s extensive portfolio includes haute couture, perfumes, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, and handbags. The brand has seen significant financial success, with revenues reaching $17.2 billion in 2022.
In addition to Chanel, Gérard Wertheimer has diversified his investments into various sectors, including vineyards, horse racing and art collections.
Here’s the breakdown of Gérard Wertheimer’s net worth:
Name: | Gérard Wertheimer |
Net Worth: | $37.8 Billion |
Date of Birth: | Feb 14, 1947 |
Profession: | Entrepreneur, Businessperson |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life and Education
Gerard Wertheimer was born on April 17, 1951 in Paris, France to a wealthy Jewish family. He is the son of Jacques Wertheimer and grandson of Pierre Wertheimer, who co-founded the Chanel brand with Coco Chanel in 1924.
Gerard grew up in a life of privilege and luxury. He studied at the University of Paris, though details of his specific educational background are not widely reported.
Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, was a pioneering French fashion designer who founded the Chanel brand in 1910. In 1924, she partnered with Pierre Wertheimer to create the company Parfums Chanel to produce and market her iconic Chanel No. 5 fragrance.
The partnership between Coco Chanel and Pierre Wertheimer was tumultuous. Chanel resented Wertheimer’s majority control and tried unsuccessfully to gain full ownership during World War II by attempting to have the Wertheimers’ assets seized on the grounds that they were Jewish.
After the war, the Wertheimers regained full control of Chanel. In 1954, Pierre Wertheimer agreed to pay all of Coco Chanel’s living expenses in exchange for her relinquishing any claim on the company’s profits.
The iconic Chanel brand, known for its haute couture, fragrances, and accessories, has been owned and managed by the Wertheimer family since Coco Chanel’s death in 1971.
Other Investments
Gérard Wertheimer, along with his brother Alain, has diversified his wealth beyond the iconic Chanel brand into several other lucrative ventures:
Vineyards
The Wertheimer brothers own prestigious vineyards in France and California. These include:
- Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux and Château Canon in Saint-Émilion, both of which are highly regarded in the wine industry.
- St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery in Napa Valley, California, which they acquired in 2015.
Horse Racing
The Wertheimer family has a long-standing passion for thoroughbred horse racing. They own and operate La Presle Farm/Wertheimer Farm in the United States and France under the name Wertheimer et Frère. This operation has produced numerous champion racehorses, reflecting their commitment to equine excellence.
Art Collection
The Wertheimer family possesses an impressive art collection that includes works by renowned artists such as Picasso and Matisse. However, they maintain a high level of privacy regarding their collection, not loaning out or photographing the pieces.
Family Office: Mousse Partners
The Wertheimer family manages their vast fortune through their family office, Mousse Partners, founded in 1991 by their half-brother Charles Heilbronn. Mousse Partners is involved in a wide range of investments, including private equity, venture capital, real estate, and credit investments. The firm is known for its secrecy and operates out of the Solow Building in New York City, with additional offices in Beijing and Hong Kong.
Personal Life
Gérard Wertheimer leads a private and luxurious lifestyle. He is married to Valérie Picavet, a former nurse. The couple has two children, Olivia and David.
Gérard Wertheimer splits his time between New York City and Switzerland. He owns a secluded mansion in the Vandœuvres region of Geneva, Switzerland, and the family also enjoys various luxurious activities such as shooting game at their chateau in France’s Loire Valley and skiing at their chalet in the Swiss Alps.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.
