Bernard Arnault Installed at the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques

On January 12, 2026, Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, was officially installed as the chair of Political Economy, Statistics, and Finance at the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques in Paris. Arnault was elected to this prestigious position in December 2024, succeeding Denis Kessler, who passed away in June 2023.

During the installation ceremony, Arnault paid tribute to his predecessor, stating, "I take over the legacy that my friend Denis Kessler has passed on to me, aiming to contribute to the spirit of freedom, ambition, generosity, and entrepreneurial passion that he exemplified." The ceremony featured symbolic elements including the presentation of a ceremonial sword by French Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire. This sword was designed by the late architect Frank Gehry, known for the Louis Vuitton Foundation, while Arnault’s ceremonial attire was crafted by Dior, a brand within the LVMH group.

The event was attended by notable personalities such as Brigitte Macron, former European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet, who praised Arnault’s significant contributions to the French and European economies and his role in promoting French excellence globally, as well as business leaders like Rodolphe Saadé of CMA CGM, Patrick Pouyanné of Total, Vincent Bolloré, and artist Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton’s menswear artistic director. Arnault’s installation adds to his list of honors, including the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor awarded in March.

This ceremony underscores Arnault's prominence not only in the business world but also in France's intellectual and cultural elite, marking a notable moment in the intersection of French economy, politics, and culture.