Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
Czech billionaire offers €30 billion for Del Vecchio holding
Czech billionaire Michal Strnad has offered €30 billion for Delfin, the holding company owned by heirs of Italian eyewear founder Leonardo Del Vecchio.
Strnad proposed buying all of the company in an all-cash deal.
Delfin holds a major stake in EssilorLuxottica, the group behind Ray-Ban, and investments in Italian financial companies including Generali and UniCredit.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, one of the founder’s sons and a Delfin shareholder, says his father’s work should remain part of Italy’s heritage.
He argues that EssilorLuxottica and the family’s other holdings should not be treated like ordinary assets.
Del Vecchio also says the source and structure of the offer’s funds should be checked by the relevant authorities.
Strnad says he is ready to discuss the offer with Delfin’s board and shareholders, but no decision on the proposal is reported.
Czech billionaire Michal Strnad has offered to buy all of Delfin, the Del Vecchio family holding company, for €30 billion, according to the sources.
Delfin owns a significant stake in EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban, and holds investments in Italian financial companies.
Strnad’s proposal was made in a letter to Delfin chief executive Romolo Bardin dated October 20.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio said EssilorLuxottica should not be treated as an ordinary asset and should remain tied to Italy.
He also called for the origins and structure of the funds behind the proposed deal to be clear and reviewed by the relevant authorities.
- Who
- Michal Strnad, a Czech billionaire and arms producer, made the offer to Delfin, the Del Vecchio family holding company.
- What
- He proposed buying all of Delfin for €30 billion, according to the sources.
- When
- The offer letter was dated October 20; it was reported on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- The letter was sent from Prague to Luxembourg.
- Why
- Strnad said Delfin fit his investment strategy. Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio said the family’s holdings should be protected and remain tied to Italy.
Michal Strnad
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio
Ownership
Michal Strnad
Strnad offered to buy all of Delfin for cash.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio
Del Vecchio said his father’s work should remain an Italian asset and EssilorLuxottica should not be treated as an ordinary asset.
Review of the deal
Michal Strnad
Strnad said he was ready to discuss the proposal with Delfin’s board and shareholders.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio
Del Vecchio called for the source and structure of the funds to be clear, verifiable and fully reviewed by the relevant authorities.
Strnad dated his letter offering to buy Delfin.
News reports made the offer public.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio responded, saying the family’s holdings should remain tied to Italy.
- Offer value
- €30 billion
- Proposed purchase
- 100% of Delfin
- Offer letter date
- October 20
- Recipient
- Romolo Bardin, Delfin chief executive
- Delfin holdings
- EssilorLuxottica, Generali, UniCredit and Covivio
5 sources
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, lavoro mio padre resti patrimonio Italia
Czech billionaire Strnad offers €30 billion for EssiLux shareholder Delfin, sources say
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Ray-Ban Heir Rejects $3.9 Billion Offer for Stake in Family Firm
What people are saying
Il lavoro di una vita di mio padre deve restare un patrimonio dell'Italia
EssilorLuxottica è l'unico vero campione italiano nel mondo
si adatta perfettamente al mio approccio e alla mia strategia di investimento
pronto a discutere con il consiglio di amministrazione e gli azionisti di Delfin la possibilità