Italian billionaire Leonardo del Vecchio, founder of the glasses and lenses empire EsilorLuxottica, has died at the age of 87, serving as chairman of the team until his last day.
De Vecchio made his way into the industry in 1961 as the owner of a tiny eyewear store called Luxottica – the business grew and grew in the following years, along with its most powerful brand, Rayban.
The founder became one of the most important manufacturers in Italy and later also in Europe, where he served as a member of dozens of boards of leading companies on the continent.
Among the many eyeglass brands of AsilorLuxautica:
Ray-ban. Oakley. Bulgary. Chanel. Dolce & Gabbana. Giorgio Armani. Ralph Lauren. Michael Kors. Valentino. Versace .
De Vecchio’s influence in Italy and Europe went beyond the project of his life in the eyewear company, also but not only in view of his position in the financial markets. The private company owned by De Vecchio (Delfin) is the largest shareholder in the Italian bank Mediobanca and at the same time holds about 10% in the general insurance company.