Michel Chalhoub (9 October 1931 – 30 July 2021) was a Syrian-French billionaire,[1] and founder of the Chalhoub Group. As of August 2021, his net worth was estimated at US$1.1 billion.[2]

Michel Chalhoub
Born(1931-10-09)9 October 1931
Damascus, Syria
Died30 July 2021(2021-07-30) (aged 89)
France
NationalityFrench
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFounder, Chalhoub Group
SpouseWidad Chalhoub
Children2

Early life

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Michel Chalhoub was born in Damascus, Syria, in 1931.[3]

Career

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Michel and Widad Chalhoub started their business in Damascus in 1955. After the successful military coup of Syria and the economic uncertainty, they were compelled to move to Beirut.[4] A decade later, due to the Lebanese Civil War, they relocated to Kuwait where the company flourished and their sons, Anthony and Patrick, joined the Group.

In 1990, after the invasion of Kuwait, followed by the Gulf War, they established an exile operation in order to keep the company going.[4]

They ended up controlling about 20% of the region's market in luxury goods.[5]

Personal life

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Michel Chalhoub was married to Widad, and they lived in Dubai.[2]

Their two sons,[2] Anthony and Patrick, took over as co-CEOs of Chalhoub Group in 2001.[5] Since Anthony’s death in 2018, Patrick is the sole CEO.

Death

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Michel Chalhoub died on 30 July 2021, aged 89.[3] He is survived by his wife Widad and one son, Patrick.

References

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  1. ^ Samet, Janie (2008). Michel Chalhoub. Assouline. pp. 10–11.
  2. ^ a b c "Forbes profile: Michel Chalhoub". Forbes. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Middle East luxury retail pioneer Michel Chalhoub dies". Gulf News. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b "The Family Firms Ruling Fashion in the Gulf States | Global Currents, Market GPS | BoF". www.businessoffashion.com. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Family man luxuriates in joint rule". The National. Abu Dhabi. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2017.