Drea Knufken
Francois Pinault’s holding company Artemis SA is named after the Greek goddess of the hunt. If Pinault’s ownership of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Christie’s auction house, and Puma is any evidence, Pinault is a fine hunter indeed.
His catches don’t stop at luxury brands. For those of more modest means, Artemis’ $4 billion company Redcats runs 14 global home shopping brands, from The Golf Warehouse to Jessica London. Artemis also dabbles in insurance, energy infrastructure, construction, toll roads and parking garages, investment, real estate, mobile communications, and the media.
To prove that his personal tastes match his company’s style, Pinault runs renowned winery Chateau Latour and shows off his $1.4 billion personal art collection in Venice. His son, also a man of refinement, married the gorgeous Salma Hayek a couple of years ago.
