Michel Chalhoub
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
France
retail, Self Made
$1,400,000,000
1349
#1349 Billionaires 2019
Michel Chalhoub is the founder of the Chalhoub Group, a luxury retailer in the Middle East. He started the business in 1955 by licensing the rights to sell three foreign brands (Christofle, Baccarat and Jean Patou) in Damascus, Syria.Today the Dubai-based company has 650 stores, selling powerhouse brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin.The Chalhoub Group is run by son Patrick and employs more than 12,000 people in 14 countries.
Chalhoub and his wife Widad, who were both passionate about French culture, decided to open the first Christofle boutique in Damascus together decades ago.Chalhoub is the owner of what's possibly the biggest shoe store in the world. Located in Dubai, Level Shoe District spans over 96,000 square feet.
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