Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of LVMH, has dismissed recent allegations from a French newspaper suggesting the luxury goods conglomerate does not employ overweight individuals. The claims emerged from an investigative report by journalists Raphaëlle Bacqué and Vanessa Schneider, who observed that employees at LVMH’s Paris headquarters were predominantly young, slim, and well-dressed.

In response, Arnault posted a three-page letter on LVMH’s social media platform, X, where he humorously apologized for the "failure of bodily diversity" and pledged to address the issue with the company canteen. He also criticized the journalists for their portrayal of his family and business.

The report, published by a left-leaning French newspaper, also described Arnault as a “lover of the arts and tax breaks” and highlighted ongoing legal disputes concerning his financial dealings. Arnault, estimated to have a net worth of $158 billion by Bloomberg, is currently contesting a £23 million tax bill. Last year, he publicly opposed proposals for a new wealth tax put forward by economist Gabriel Zucman.

The journalists further suggested that Arnault’s five children, all holding executive positions at LVMH, are embroiled in complex family rivalries likened to those depicted in the television series "Succession." Despite this characterization, Arnault described his family as “united” and admonished the portrayal of their interactions as overly dramatic, stating that the reporters transformed "five strong personalities" into “an Italian opera.”

He acknowledged that his family gatherings might involve strong opinions but rejected the suggestion of internal conflict or plotting. Arnault also noted tensions involving his second wife, Canadian-born concert pianist Hélène Mercier-Arnault, and his son-in-law Xavier Niel, a telecoms billionaire who serves on the board of the newspaper that published the report.

Arnault took issue with what he saw as biased reporting in favor of the Wertheimer family, owners of the Chanel brand, despite LVMH’s cooperation with the journalists during their investigation. In his letter, he accused the journalists of “punishing transparency” and suggested their treatment of his family and company should serve as a warning to future subjects of their inquiries.

LVMH remains France’s largest company, overseeing renowned luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, and Christian Dior. The company’s reputation and Arnault’s personal standing as one of Europe’s wealthiest individuals continue to provoke scrutiny amid ongoing public debates around wealth, corporate culture, and social diversity.