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An eye for an eye: EssilorLuxottica heirs' battle
Since the death of patriarch Leonardo Del Vecchio, the family has been torn apart. From left to right: Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, Rocco Basilico, his widow Nicoletta Zampillo Del Vecchio and Claudio Del Vecchio. © Photomontage by Glitz – Sources: LaPresse (Alamy), Dia Dipasupil (AFP), Fondazione Leonardo Del Vecchio, Karsten Moran (REA), marcelabr (pixabay)

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An eye for an eye: EssilorLuxottica heirs' battle

The death in 2022 of businessman Leonardo Del Vecchio, founder of the eyewear manufacturer Luxottica, now EssilorLuxottica, sparked a full-blown battle between his widow and his six children. For the past four years, this ongoing conflict has been rocking the luxury eyewear leader and hampering the clan's investment ambitions.


An eye for an eye: EssilorLuxottica heirs' battle
Since the death of patriarch Leonardo Del Vecchio, the family has been torn apart. From left to right: Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, Rocco Basilico, his widow Nicoletta Zampillo Del Vecchio and Claudio Del Vecchio. © Photomontage by Glitz – Sources: LaPresse (Alamy), Dia Dipasupil (AFP), Fondazione Leonardo Del Vecchio, Karsten Moran (REA), marcelabr (pixabay)

Del Vecchio family
Heirs tentatively resolve board impasse at EssilorLuxottica family office

At the end of June, the seven Del Vecchio heirs were unable to reach agreement on any of the resolutions on the agenda for their family office's general meeting. Since then, a tentative agreement has been in the works over a technical point but with far-reaching consequences.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, the eldest sibling, is in the thick of the family squabble.
LogoSubscribers only Families 17.09.2026
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, the eldest sibling, is in the thick of the family squabble.

The Del Vecchio family
EssilorLuxottica heirs' dividends frozen for second year straight

For the second year running, the widow and six children of the company's founder have not received any dividends from the eyewear manufacturer, despite its strong performance. This is due to family disputes that are paralysing their family office.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio and his family have been squabbling over shareholdings and an Armani investment.
LogoSubscribers only Families 08.09.2026
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio and his family have been squabbling over shareholdings and an Armani investment.

Del Vecchio
EssilorLuxottica heir pushes for Armani takeover

At odds with his siblings since 2022, Leonardo Maria del Vecchio, eldest son of the Luxottica founder and strategic director of EssilorLuxottica, has redoubled his efforts to become the main shareholder of the family holding company and to have free rein to make an offer for Armani.

LogoSubscribers only Families 10.03.2026

Del Vecchios buy Armani yacht as they ponder acquiring stake in the luxury brand

Fresh out of the shipyard, the Admiral Giorgio Armani has been acquired by the Del Vecchio family. They are the main shareholder in EssilorLuxottica, which distributes Armani eyewear, and have been designated as a potential shareholder in the fashion house in the late designer's will.

LogoSubscribers only Families 02.12.2025

EssilorLuxottica's shareholder family doubled profits in 2024

The Del Vecchio family, founder and largest shareholder of eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, saw its family office profits increase by 100% last year.

LogoSubscribers only Families 23.10.2025

How the Del Vecchios won over Giorgio Armani

Glitz revealed the names last week of the three luxury groups that had tried to acquire Giorgio Armani in recent years. A week later, the late designer's will asks his heirs to do business with one of these groups.

LogoSubscribers only Families 16.09.2025

Luxottica eyewear group heir set for sumptuous birthday celebration

To celebrate his 30th birthday next week, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, son of the founder of Luxottica and head of strategy at EssilorLuxottica, is to stage a two-day party in Monaco.

LogoSubscribers only Families 01.05.2025

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Since the death of patriarch Leonardo Del Vecchio, the family has been torn apart. From left to right: Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, Rocco Basilico, his widow Nicoletta Zampillo Del Vecchio and Claudio Del Vecchio.

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The war at EssilorLuxottica

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