Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
EssilorLuxottica heir discloses drug addiction and renews criticism of company leadership
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, 31, is one of eight heirs to the fortune of EssilorLuxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio.
He has disclosed that he struggled with insomnia and became addicted to drugs that helped him sleep.
In a video podcast, he also renewed criticism of the company’s leadership, including chief executive Francesco Milleri.
Del Vecchio stepped down from his executive roles in August after failing to secure family backing for loans to buy out two siblings.
He said he had stepped back from the company but remained a shareholder.
EssilorLuxottica shares have fallen about 46 per cent this year, and the company’s board and senior executives have backed Milleri.
A Luxembourg court case is still under way over whether Del Vecchio and his siblings can transfer their personally owned stakes in family holding company Delfin to separate holding companies.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio disclosed his drug addiction and renewed criticism of EssilorLuxottica’s leadership in a video podcast with Italian rapper Fedez.
He said the company lacked the right vision after his father, founder Leonardo Del Vecchio, died.
The 31-year-old heir stepped down from executive roles in August but said he remained a shareholder.
He resigned after failing to secure family holding company support for loans to buy two siblings’ stakes for €10 billion.
EssilorLuxottica shares had fallen about 46 per cent that year, according to the article.
- Who
- Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, one of eight heirs to the fortune of EssilorLuxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio.
- What
- He disclosed challenges with drug addiction and criticised the company’s leadership.
- When
- He made the remarks in a video podcast; the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- He said the company lacked the right vision after his father and had not delivered results.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio
EssilorLuxottica leadership and board
Company vision
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio
Del Vecchio said the company had not had the right vision since his father’s death.
EssilorLuxottica leadership and board
The board and senior executives issued statements supporting CEO Francesco Milleri.
CEO performance
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio
Del Vecchio said Milleri had not brought results to the company.
EssilorLuxottica leadership and board
Milleri was selected by Del Vecchio’s father to lead the business, and the board and senior executives backed him.
Del Vecchio stepped down from his executive roles at EssilorLuxottica.
SMH published an article about Del Vecchio’s remarks in a video podcast with Fedez.
- Age
- 31
- Family inheritance
- One of eight heirs to Leonardo Del Vecchio’s fortune
- Proposed buyout
- €10 billion to buy two siblings’ stakes
- Share decline
- About 46 per cent that year
- Personal debt
- About €500 million in personal borrowings
What people are saying
There has not been the right vision after my father. And it is the market that says it, not me.
I have filled the gaps I felt with drugs.
I’ve taken a step back from the company, but not as a shareholder
Sources
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