Basically, Chanel’s been in the Wertheimer family for AGES, almost a century! Can you even imagine? Like, before sliced bread was even a thing, probably! These guys, Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, are the current bigwigs. Alain, he’s like the chairman, the top dog. Gérard, he’s more into the watches, which, honestly, probably involves a lot less drama than the whole fashion side of things.
They’re brothers, which is kinda cool. Family business and all that. Their family, specifically their uncle Pierre Wertheimer (bless his soul, probably swimming in cash somewhere in the afterlife), invested in Chanel’s perfume biz way back when. And now? They’re basically rolling in it. Like, pocketing $5 BILLION kinda rolling in it. Seriously, I need to know their secret. Aside from being born into a family that basically owns a fashion empire, I mean.
Now, here’s where things get a little… sticky, I guess. It’s a privately held company, which means you can’t just buy a share on the stock market or anything. They keep it all to themselves. Which is smart, honestly. Imagine having to answer to a bunch of shareholders about hemlines and tweed? No thanks.
And it’s not JUST Chanel. Alain, the chairman dude, he’s been buying up other brands. Like Eres Lingerie, Tanner Krolle (fancy saddles, apparently), and even Holland & Holland, which makes freakin’ GUNS. Talk about diversification! It’s kinda like, they’re not just about lipstick and little black dresses; they’re building a whole damn empire. Which is, frankly, impressive.
Oh, and get this – they also own vineyards. In France *and* California’s Napa Valley. And they breed RACEHORSES. I mean, seriously? Talk about living the good life. It’s like they’re ticking off every cliché of the ridiculously wealthy. I’m not even mad, I’m just… jealous. A little bit. Okay, maybe a lot.
