Alain Ernest Wertheimer (born 28 September 1948) is a French billionaire businessman based in New York City. He serves as the chairman and a controlling shareholder of Chanel, while his brother, Gérard Wertheimer, chairs the company's watch division.
As of October 2022, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his net worth at US$40 billion, ranking him as the 26th richest person in the world. According to Forbes, as of 25 December 2024, his estimated net worth is US$41.4 billion, placing him among the wealthiest individuals globally.
Early Life
 | |
| Born | Alain Ernest Wertheimer 28 September 1948 |
| Occupations | Businessman |
| Spouse | Brigitte Laloum |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Jacques Wertheimer Eliane Heilbronn (Fischer) |
| Relatives | Gérard Wertheimer (brother) Charles Heilbronn (half-brother) Pierre Wertheimer (grandfather) |
Alain Ernest Wertheimer was born on 28 September 1948 to a Jewish family, the son of Jacques Wertheimer and Eliane Fischer. His grandfather, Pierre Wertheimer, co-founded the luxury fashion house Chanel with Coco Chanel. The Wertheimer family has been deeply involved in the management and ownership of Chanel, a legacy that Alain and his brother Gérard inherited. Alain attended prestigious institutions, and his education laid the groundwork for his eventual role in overseeing the operations of Chanel. Throughout his upbringing, he was surrounded by the family business and its deep-rooted connection to high fashion, which would later define much of his career.
Career
Alain Wertheimer is the co-owner and chairman of Chanel, a privately held company that has been a family business for generations. He has overseen the company’s strategic growth, including the acquisition of several non-Chanel brands such as Eres Lingerie and beachwear, Tanner Krolle saddles and leather goods, and Holland & Holland, a renowned British gunmaker.
Based in France, Alain and his brother Gérard Wertheimer own prestigious vineyards, including Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux and Château Canon in Saint-Émilion. Both properties have received critical acclaim from wine enthusiasts.
In addition to their business ventures, the Wertheimer brothers are passionate equestrians. They inherited a prominent Thoroughbred horse racing stable, which they operate under the names La Presle Farm or Wertheimer Farm for racing in the United States, and Wertheimer et Frère in France.
Business Career
Alain Wertheimer is the co-owner and chairman of Chanel, the iconic luxury fashion house that his family has been deeply involved in for generations. Under his leadership, Chanel has grown significantly, with Alain playing a key role in expanding its portfolio beyond fashion. He presided over the acquisition of several non-Chanel brands, including Eres Lingerie and beachwear, Tanner Krolle saddles and leather goods, and Holland & Holland, a prestigious British gunmaker.
Alain and his brother Gérard also expanded the family’s wealth through strategic investments in the wine industry, owning renowned vineyards in France such as Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux and Château Canon in Saint-Émilion, which are widely praised by wine critics.
In addition to his work in fashion and wine, Alain is an enthusiastic equestrian and has inherited a significant thoroughbred horse racing operation. His racing stables, known as La Presle Farm in the United States and Wertheimer et Frère in France, are known for their successful participation in the sport.
Through his leadership of the family business and its various investments, Alain Wertheimer has become one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, with his fortune managed by the family office, Mousse Partners.
Vineyards
Alain and his brother Gérard Wertheimer own several prestigious vineyards, both in France and internationally, as part of their diversified investment portfolio. Among the most notable are Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux and Château Canon in Saint-Émilion, two of the most renowned wine estates in Bordeaux. These properties are highly regarded for their exceptional quality and have received critical acclaim from wine connoisseurs.
In addition to their holdings in France, the Wertheimer brothers also own vineyards in Napa Valley, California, further expanding their influence in the global wine industry. Their vineyard investments are a key part of their family legacy and wealth, alongside their leadership of Chanel.
Personal Life
Alain Wertheimer is married to Brigitte Laloum, and together they have three children: Sarah Wertheimer (married to Pedro Romero Gonzalez in 2011), Nathaniel Wertheimer (married to Taya Alexandra Schmid in 2015), and Raphael Wertheimer. The couple resides in New York City.
In addition to their business interests, Alain and his brothers own vineyards in France and Napa Valley, California.
The fortune of Alain and Gérard Wertheimer is managed by their family office, Mousse Partners.
Wealth
As of December 2024, Alain Wertheimer's estimated net worth is US$41.4 billion, according to Forbes. His wealth primarily stems from his ownership stake in Chanel, the luxury fashion brand co-founded by his grandfather. In addition to Chanel, his fortune is bolstered by the family’s ownership of high-end vineyards in France, such as Château Rauzan-Ségla and Château Canon, as well as properties in Napa Valley, California. Alain and his brother Gérard also manage a thoroughbred horse racing stable and other investments through their family office, Mousse Partners. As of October 2022, Bloomberg ranked Alain Wertheimer as the 26th richest person in the world.
References
- Alain Wertheimer (no date a) Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/profile/alain-wertheimer/?list=rtb%2F (Accessed: 10 January 2025).
- Alain Wertheimer (no date b) LittleSis. Available at: https://littlesis.org/person/77786-Alain_Wertheimer (Accessed: 10 January 2025).
- Chappatta, B. et al. (2017) Bloomberg billionaires index, Bloomberg.com. Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/alain-e-wertheimer/ (Accessed: 10 January 2025).
