8. Leonardo Del Vecchio – $19.4 billion
What does the name Leonardo Del Vecchio say to you? To me it says that the guy is Italian.
He is the owner of Luxottica and has chaired the $9.7 billion company ever since he founded the company back in 1961.
Leonardo is the largest producer and retailer of sunglasses and prescription glasses in the world. The company owns Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, Ray-Ban and Oakley.
He grew up poor and after his father died, his mother sent him at age of 7 to an orphanage.
Leonardo learned everything he knows at age of 14, from a factory that made parts for cars and eyeglasses.
Now the company manufactures glasses for virtually every luxury brand in the world, including Burberry, Bulgari, Chanel, Coach, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany and Versace.
His son Claudio owns U.S. men’s retailer Brooks Brothers.
