Quick Facts: Gucci
| Current Owner | Kering SA (Pinault family, via Artémis) |
| Ownership Type | Subsidiary of a public company |
| Kering Chairman | François-Henri Pinault |
| Kering CEO | Luca de Meo (since September 2025) |
| Kering Full Control Since | 2004 |
| Founded | 1921, by Guccio Gucci |
| Sibling Brands | Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta (all under Kering) |
Who Owns Gucci?
Gucci is owned by Kering SA, the French luxury conglomerate controlled by the Pinault family through their holding company Artémis, with Kering having built up to full ownership of Gucci by 2004.
Kering, then still operating as Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR), first bought a 42% stake in Gucci in 1999 as part of a defensive deal that blocked a hostile takeover attempt by rival luxury group LVMH, then gradually increased its position to full control over the following five years.
In a major 2025 leadership shakeup, François-Henri Pinault — who had run Kering since 2005 — stepped back from day-to-day operations amid a sharp downturn at Gucci, handing the CEO role to Luca de Meo, previously the chief executive who led a well-regarded turnaround at automaker Renault.
Pinault remains Kering’s board chairman and has said he’ll stay involved in the group’s strategic direction, but the operational reins now belong to de Meo, whose primary mandate is reviving Gucci after the brand posted a 23% revenue decline in 2024.
Gucci Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 | Founded in Florence, Italy | Guccio Gucci | Original leather goods house |
| 1999 | PPR (Kering) buys 42% stake | François Pinault (founder) | Blocks an LVMH takeover attempt |
| 2004–Present | Full control achieved | PPR / Kering | Company later renamed Kering (2013) |
| 2025 | Pinault steps back as CEO; Luca de Meo takes over | François-Henri Pinault (Chairman) + Luca de Meo (CEO) | Responding to Gucci’s revenue slump |
About the Pinault Family & Kering
François Pinault founded the business empire that became Kering, later handing control to son François-Henri Pinault, who led the group’s transformation from a retail conglomerate into a pure-play luxury house owner over two decades as CEO.
Luca de Meo’s appointment marks a notable departure from Kering’s usual internal-promotion pattern — he arrives from the automotive industry, tasked specifically with turning around Gucci’s fortunes after a difficult stretch that included a 2023 creative director change that failed to reverse declining sales.
Key Ownership Highlights
- The 1999 Kering stake purchase was explicitly defensive: blocking a hostile takeover attempt by rival LVMH, Gucci’s biggest luxury-industry competitor.
- Gucci sits alongside several other major fashion houses under Kering: including Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta.
- 2025 marked a rare operational leadership change at the top: François-Henri Pinault’s two-decade run as CEO ended, though he remains chairman and retains family control through Artémis.
- The new CEO comes from outside the luxury industry entirely: Luca de Meo’s background is in automotive turnarounds, a deliberate bet by the Pinault family on outside expertise.
- Gucci’s struggles directly prompted the leadership change: a 23% revenue decline in 2024 made the case for new operational leadership difficult to ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Gucci?
Kering SA, controlled by the Pinault family through their holding company Artémis.
Who is Gucci’s ultimate controlling family?
The Pinault family, led by chairman François-Henri Pinault.
Did Kering’s leadership change recently?
Yes, Luca de Meo became Kering’s CEO in September 2025, with Pinault stepping back to focus on his chairman role.
What other brands does Kering own alongside Gucci?
Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta, among others.
Why did Kering bring in a new CEO?
Gucci posted a 23% revenue decline in 2024, prompting the Pinault family to bring in outside turnaround expertise.
Other Kering Houses
Gucci is one of several fashion houses under the Pinault family’s Kering umbrella.