Fact Ledger

1. Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio was born May 6, 1995, in Milan, Italy. — UNICEF Next Generation Italia.
2. He is the son of Leonardo Del Vecchio, founder of Luxottica, and Nicoletta Zampillo. — Fondazione Leonardo Del Vecchio; recent biographical reporting.
3. He graduated from Bocconi University with a degree in Business Economics and Management. — UNICEF Next Generation Italia.
4. He joined Luxottica in 2017 and developed experience in wholesale and retail operations. — LMDV/biographical records.
5. In 2019, he became Head of Retail Italy at Luxottica. — UNICEF Next Generation Italia.
6. He later became CEO of Salmoiraghi & Viganò and held senior responsibilities within EssilorLuxottica and Ray-Ban. — Corriere della Sera and ANSA.
7. He founded LMDV Capital in 2022. — Reuters.
8. LMDV Capital invests across areas including technology, lifestyle, consumer goods, real estate and other sectors. — LMDV Capital.
9. In June 2026, Leonardo Maria became executive chairman of LMDV Capital, with Lorenzo Calì appointed CEO. — LMDV Capital and ANSA.
10. In August 2026, he resigned from his positions at EssilorLuxottica, including president of Ray-Ban and chief strategy officer, to focus on new business projects. — ANSA.
11. In April 2026, Delfin shareholders approved the transfer of Luca and Paola Del Vecchio’s combined 25% stake to Leonardo Maria, raising his reported Delfin stake to 37.5%. — ANSA.
12. Reuters reported in June 2026 that he was seeking financing connected with the acquisition of additional Delfin shares. — Reuters.
13. Forbes estimated Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio’s wealth at about $7.5 billion in December 2025. — Forbes figure reproduced in subsequent reporting; the estimate should not be treated as a fixed 2026 valuation.
14. His father, Leonardo Del Vecchio, died in June 2022 at age 87 and left six children. — Reuters and Forbes.
15. Leonardo Maria has been involved in philanthropic initiatives, including the LMDV Foundation. — LMDV Capital.
16. Recent 2026 reporting identifies Sara Soldati as the mother of his daughter Bianca and describes an ongoing shared-parenting arrangement. — Chi and Vanity Fair Italia.

Who Is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio? Leonardo Del Vecchio’s Son

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio is an Italian businessman, investor and the son of late Luxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio. Born in Milan in 1995, he built his professional career inside the eyewear group before establishing LMDV Capital, his own investment platform.

His story became particularly significant after his father’s death in 2022, when Leonardo Maria became one of eight heirs involved in the family’s ownership structure. In 2026, he made headlines again after increasing his position in the family holding company Delfin and later leaving his executive positions at EssilorLuxottica.

For readers searching for Leonardo Del Vecchio Net Worth, it is useful to distinguish the fortune of the late founder from the estimated wealth of his son. Forbes estimated Leonardo Maria’s personal fortune at approximately $7.5 billion in December 2025, although private-company holdings mean such estimates can change.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Education

Leonardo Maria was born in Milan on May 6, 1995. He is the only child of Leonardo Del Vecchio and Nicoletta Zampillo, although he grew up as part of a much larger blended family. His father had six children from different relationships.

Rather than entering the family business without formal preparation, Leonardo Maria studied Business Economics and Management at Bocconi University in Milan. UNICEF Next Generation Italia also records his early professional exposure to Luxottica and his role overseeing retail operations.

That education became useful when he began building a career in the same industry his father had transformed. His professional path eventually moved beyond eyewear into investment, hospitality, media, technology and other businesses.

From Luxottica to EssilorLuxottica

Leonardo Maria joined Luxottica in 2017 and gained experience in its wholesale and retail operations. In April 2019, the company appointed him head of retail Italy, where his responsibilities included businesses such as Salmoiraghi & Viganò and Sunglass Hut, along with Ray-Ban, Persol and Oliver Peoples stores.

He subsequently became CEO of Salmoiraghi & Viganò and took on increasingly senior positions within the wider EssilorLuxottica organization. His career was therefore closely connected to the business founded by his father, but his later activities increasingly moved toward investment and family-office management.

By June 2026, LMDV Capital announced a restructuring in which Leonardo Maria became its executive chairman, while Lorenzo Calì took the role of CEO with operational responsibilities.

The 2026 EssilorLuxottica Exit

A major change came in August 2026. ANSA reported that Leonardo Maria resigned from all positions at EssilorLuxottica, including his roles as president of Ray-Ban and chief strategy officer. The company said it thanked him for his contribution and wished him success in his new venture.

The resignation followed disagreements over the direction and management of the group. ANSA reported that Leonardo Maria criticized what he described in a letter as a more distant and impersonal management approach. Those comments are his stated position and should be distinguished from the company’s response.

LMDV Capital and Business Interests

Leonardo Maria founded LMDV Capital in 2022, creating an investment vehicle separate from the day-to-day operation of EssilorLuxottica. Reuters reported that the firm has invested in areas including hospitality, real estate, food, health care and media.

LMDV Capital describes itself as an Italian single-family office headquartered in Milan. Its portfolio includes direct and indirect investments spanning venture and growth capital, private equity, technology, lifestyle and consumer businesses.

In 2026, the organization also established the Fondazione LMDV, focusing on initiatives involving education, work, housing, culture, inclusion and visual health. Its announced projects include social co-housing, employment training and an early-childhood center in Agordo.

Leonardo Del Vecchio Net Worth and the Family Fortune

Searches for Leonardo Del Vecchio Net Worth often combine the late founder’s fortune with the wealth of his heirs. Leonardo Del Vecchio himself was estimated by Forbes at approximately $25.5 billion when he died in 2022.

His estate was tied closely to Delfin, the Luxembourg holding company through which the family has substantial investments. Reuters reported after his death that the founder had six children and that his estate included a major position in EssilorLuxottica alongside other financial and real-estate interests.

For Leonardo Maria specifically, Forbes estimated his wealth at approximately $7.5 billion in December 2025. That number is an estimate rather than a publicly audited personal balance sheet, and the value of private holdings can change substantially with market prices and ownership transactions.

The ownership structure became particularly notable in April 2026, when Delfin shareholders approved Leonardo Maria’s acquisition of the stakes held by his siblings Luca and Paola Del Vecchio. ANSA reported that the transaction would raise his Delfin holding to 37.5%.

Personal Life and Family

Leonardo Maria has generally kept much of his private life outside his professional activities. He married Anna Castellini Baldissera in ceremonies held in Milan and Saint-Tropez in 2021 and 2022, respectively, according to Corriere della Sera.

More recently, 2026 coverage has focused on his relationship with Sara Soldati and their daughter Bianca. In September 2026, Chi reported that Del Vecchio and Soldati were living under the same roof while working through arrangements concerning their daughter. Vanity Fair Italia separately reported on an interim shared-custody arrangement.

Because the subject has become increasingly prominent in Italian business coverage, separating confirmed statements from private-life speculation remains particularly important.

A New Chapter Beyond the Family Business

Leonardo Maria’s professional position changed considerably during 2026. He moved toward a more concentrated role at LMDV Capital while stepping away from EssilorLuxottica’s executive structure. The change places greater attention on his investment activities and his role within Delfin.

His family’s ownership structure also remains significant. Reuters reported that Delfin holds major stakes in EssilorLuxottica, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Generali and UniCredit.

At the same time, Leonardo Maria’s own investment platform gives him a business identity that extends beyond eyewear. LMDV Capital says its strategy is centered on backing Italian and international businesses in technology, lifestyle and consumer sectors.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio Career Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio?

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio is an Italian businessman and investor. He is the son of late Luxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio and founded LMDV Capital in 2022.

How old is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio in 2026?

He was born May 6, 1995, making him 31 years old in 2026.

What is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio’s net worth?

Forbes estimated his wealth at approximately $7.5 billion in December 2025. Because much of the family’s wealth is connected to private holding structures and publicly traded investments, this should be viewed as an estimate rather than a fixed figure.

Is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio related to Leonardo Del Vecchio?

Yes. Leonardo Maria is the son of Leonardo Del Vecchio, the founder of Luxottica and a key figure behind the global eyewear industry.

What does Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio do now?

As of 2026, he is focused on LMDV Capital and related investment and philanthropic projects. In August 2026, he resigned from his positions at EssilorLuxottica.

Conclusion

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio’s public profile has moved well beyond being known simply as the son of the late Luxottica founder. His early career was built inside the eyewear business, while his later work through LMDV Capital has broadened his interests across multiple industries. The ownership changes at Delfin and his 2026 departure from Essilor Luxottica mark another significant stage in that transition. His wealth remains closely connected to the Del Vecchio family’s holdings, while his investment and philanthropic activities increasingly provide a separate professional identity.