Lifestyles Magazine/Meaningful Influence cover subject philanthropist Bernard Arnault, decorated with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor by President Macron

The President of the French Republic awarded Bernard Arnault, CEO of the luxury leader LVMH, with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.

It is rare to see so many prominent figures from different sectors gathered for the same evening.

On Wednesday, March 13th, Bernard Arnault, the head of the LVMH group, was decorated by Emmanuel Macron with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.

While Bernard Arnault did not speak, the President of the Republic paid tribute to the billionaire. “You are more than a business leader, you are an ambassador of the country,” Emmanuel Macron declared about the businessman before decorating him with the highest dignity of the Legion of Honor.

Several top French political figures attended the ceremony, including former President Nicolas Sarkozy, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and Culture Minister Rachida Dati.

The event also attracted A-listers from all over the world, including Elon Musk (a fellow Lifestyles Magazine/Meaningful Influence cover subject), Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Musk, visual artist Jeff Koons, pianist Lang Lang, and billionaires Vincent Bolloré of Bolloré Group and Rodolphe Saadé of CMA CGM.

At the helm of the world leader in luxury LVMH, the 75-year-old philanthropist is currently the wealthiest man in the world with an estimated wealth of around $230 billion.

This decoration adds to the distinctions already received by Bernard Arnault.

In 2011, he was notably promoted to Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor before being elevated to the dignity of Knight of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II the following year.