Hailing from Milan, this business magnate created an expansive empire of high-end eyewear brands, catapulting his company to the zenith of the global eyewear sector.
Following a merger with the French firm Essilor, the combined EssilorLuxottica group now boasts a formidable workforce exceeding 180,000 employees.
Del Vecchio’s influence transcended eyewear, as he held substantial stakes in other prominent Italian businesses. Forbes magazine has estimated his wealth, channeled through the Delfin family holding company, at approximately €25 billion.
However, Del Vecchio’s path to wealth and business prominence was far from preordained. Born as the youngest of five children, his father’s passing shortly before his birth left his family in challenging circumstances. At the age of seven, he found himself in an orphanage. Despite facing adversity, he persevered.
Leaving formal education, Del Vecchio embarked on a journey that led him to a metalworking factory, all while pursuing nighttime studies. Recognizing the potential in crafting eyewear components, he ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing his own eyewear store in 1958.
This humble beginning evolved into Luxottica in 1961, albeit with just 14 employees at the outset. It marked a modest start for what would eventually become a global juggernaut.
Luxottica’s gradual expansion propelled it to the forefront of designer eyewear. Today, Luxottica either owns or holds licenses for a plethora of renowned names in both sunglasses and optical eyewear. These include esteemed brands like Giorgio Armani, Miu Miu, Burberry, Ray-Ban, Prada, Tiffany, Coach, Vogue Eyewear, Versace, and many more.
Leonardo Del Vecchio’s legacy is not only one of unparalleled success in the eyewear industry but also a testament to his remarkable journey from adversity to creating an influential global enterprise.
