President Emmanuel Macron has awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour to Bernard Arnault, chief executive of French luxury goods giant LVMH, in the presence of a host of prestigious guests including US pop star Beyoncé, the Elysee Palace said, AFP reported.
Arnault, 75, was awarded the highest dignity of the Legion of Honor, an award created by Emperor Napoleon I in the early 19th century to reward civilians and military personnel for their actions and services to France.
At the helm of the world's leading luxury goods company (fashion, leather goods, perfumes and alcoholic beverages), Arnault is now the richest man in the world, with assets estimated at $230 billion, ahead of Elon Musk with his $210 billion, according to Forbes rankings.
The ceremony was attended by a host of celebrities, including Beyoncé, accompanied by her husband, rapper Jay-Z, US billionaire Elon Musk, head of the Tesla group, as well as Queen Rania of Jordan and contemporary American artist Jeff Koons.
On the political side, the Ministers of Economy Bruno Le Maire, Interior Gerald Darmanin and Culture Rashida Dati have been invited, as well as former President Nicolas Sarkozy and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. / BGNES
