World's Fifth Richest Man Was Once Denied Access To His Office For Driving A $12,000 Hatchback. The Security Guard Thought It Was Impossible
In This Article:
Not every billionaire rolls up in a flashy supercar. Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH (OTC:LVMHF) and currently the fifth richest person in the world, once showed up driving a modest Peugeot 205 GTI at his own company. The result? The security guard at the gate thought it was impossible for someone of Arnault's stature to drive such an unassuming car and refused him entry.
Don't Miss:
-
Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – You can still get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $1,000
-
This Adobe-backed AI marketing startup went from a $5 to $85 million valuation working with brands like L'Oréal, Hasbro, and Sweetgreen in just three years – here's how there's an opportunity to invest at $1,000 for only $0.50/share today.
In the 1990s, when Arnault's fortune grew immensely, he opted for a more subtle way to get around. He bought himself a Peugeot 205 GTI – a small, everyday car worth around $12,000 at the time. Unlike most billionaires who choose a high-profile vehicle or a luxury limousine, Arnault sought a vehicle he could drive without calling attention to himself. It wasn't about luxury or showing off but practicality and safety.
As Motorionline reports, Arnault even modified his Peugeot for security reasons. The compact car was given B2 armor, protecting against non-large-caliber shots and it featured bulletproof windows and heavy plating, adding significant weight.
See Also: Over the last five years, the price of gold has increased by approximately 83% — Investors like Bill O’Reilly and Rudy Giuliani are using this platform to create customized gold IRAs to help shield their savings from inflation and economic turbulence.
The small hatchback’s full leather interior was the only hint of luxury within its otherwise unassuming exterior. Despite the added armor, the car looked quite ordinary, which Arnault wanted – a way to move around unnoticed.
But this low-key strategy produced an unexpected, almost humorous, moment. When Arnault arrived at his workplace in the Peugeot one day, the security guard turned him away. Unaware of the billionaire's identity, the guard found it hard to believe that someone with Arnault’s wealth would drive such a basic vehicle.
Even though the incident occurred on a weekend when there wasn’t the typical commotion, it demonstrated how well Arnault had adapted to his surroundings.
Trending: ‘Scrolling to UBI': Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones – invest today with $1,000 for just $0.25/share