Early Life
Clemente Del Vecchio was born in Milan, Italy, on May 14, 2004. He is the son of Leonardo Del Vecchio, the founder of EssilorLuxottica, and Sabina Grossi. Clemente's early life was marked by his father's significant role in the global eyewear industry, which later shaped Clemente's financial future. He grew up in Milan, and despite the vast family wealth, he reportedly maintains a low profile.
Rise to Success
Clemente's rise to prominence began after the death of his father in June 2022. He inherited a 12.5% stake in Delfin, the Luxembourg-based holding company, which manages investments including EssilorLuxottica. This inheritance made Clemente the world's youngest billionaire at the age of 18. The holding also owns shares in other major companies, including Generali, Mediobanca, UniCredit, and Covivio.
Key Business Strategies
Clemente's focus is reportedly on education and personal interests, particularly science and technology, rather than direct involvement in the family businesses. His wealth management strategy appears to be focused on maintaining and potentially expanding his existing holdings through Delfin. His older brother Leonardo Maria is involved with EssilorLuxottica's Italian retail operations.
Philanthropy
Clemente has expressed an interest in philanthropy, focusing on causes that create a long-term impact, such as mental health, education, and climate innovation. He prefers to support effective initiatives and is learning from experts in these fields. His family's foundation, Fondazione Leonardo Del Vecchio, has supported various initiatives, including a €20 million donation to Bocconi University for scholarships.