Category: Collector
Nationality: France
Last Year: 32
Last year we paraded French multibillionaire Bernard Arnault as proof that money alone can’t get you to the top of this list, pointing out that, despite his staggering wealth, he still lagged behind Pinault in our ranks (who is comparatively less rich). But it was speculated that this order could change with the opening of Arnault’s Gehry-designed museum to house a not inconsiderable private collection. Well, the museum still isn’t open, and Arnault, along with everyone else in the world, got a bit poorer (according to Forbes). No cause for panic: he’s still the 15th richest man in the world, and the richest in France. And his group continues to host exhibitions and sponsor art-related events. So we’ll keep our eye on him in the year to come.