Emmanuel Besnier (born 18 September 1970) is a French heir and billionaire businessman. He is the chief executive officer (CEO) and controlling shareholder of Lactalis. As of February 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$24.2 billion.[1]
Emmanuel Besnier was born on 18 September 1970 in Laval, Mayenne, France.[2][3] His father was Michel Besnier and his mother, Christiane.[3] His paternal grandfather, André Besnier, was the founder of Lactalis in 1933.[3] He has a brother, Jean-Michel, and a sister, Marie.[3][4]
He was educated at the Lycée de l'Immaculée-Conception, a Roman Catholic private lycée in Laval.[3] He graduated from the ISG Business School in Paris.[2]
Career
Besnier joined Lactalis as director of development in 1995.[3] He took over as the CEO in 2000, when his father died.[3]
With his brother and sister, he owned 83% of Lactalis.[1] He shuns publicity and has been nicknamed "the invisible billionaire".[1]
Lactalis salmonella scandal
At the end of 2017, Lactalis had to recall 12 million salmonella-contaminated boxes of baby milk from 83 countries. Besnier was summoned by Bruno Lemaire to the French finance ministry.[5]
Philanthropy
He donates Euro 200,000 annually to the Francis-Le-Basser football stadium in Laval.[3] He also attends their board meetings.[3] He built a private box with tinted glass, from which he watches football matches.[3][6]
In 2006, he was the recipient of the "Mayennais of the Year" award from the local Rotary Club.[6]
Personal life
He married Sandrine, a native of Laval whom he met in high school, at the Basilique Notre Dame in Laval.[3][6] They have three children.[2] They reside in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.[6] They also live in a château in Entrammes near Laval that he inherited from his father.[3][6]
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