Noted luxury executive Anthony Chalhoub dies in Paris

Anthony Chalhoub, scion of the leading luxury goods merchant family of the Middle East and a noted executive in the region, has died.

“It is with deep sadness that we are informing you that our beloved co-CEO Anthony Chalhoub passed away on the 17th of December in Paris at the age of 63, after courageously battling illness for the past years,” the Chalhoub Group said in a release.

“It’s hard to express the heartfelt sorrow we are feeling right now. Anthony was an exceptional fearless leader, driven by his passion and determination. He joined the family venture 43 years ago and has been instrumental in the evolution and the development of the Group. With his humanitarian spirit, honesty, compassion, kindness and his sense of humor, Anthony touched so many hearts. Those who have been fortunate enough to know him have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Anthony leaves us with great memories and the dreams he kept alive. We will continue to live by his legacy and values,” the statement added.

Anthony’s father, Michel Chalhoub, founded the group back in 1955 in Damascus, Syria, with the rights to retail three French labels in the region – Baccarat, Christofle and Jean Patou. Today, the group is a multi-brand empire handling fashion and cosmetic brands that include Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Lacoste, Fendi and Sephora. Based in Dubai, Chalhoub Group operates across 14 countries managing over 650 stores in the greater Middle Eastern region. When Anthony joined the company in 1980 it had 30 employees. Now it employs some 12,000 staff.

In 2011, Anthony and his younger brother Patrick took over as joint CEOs of the group, later moving the company headquarters to Dubai Design District.

Known for his courtly manner, appetite for hard work and great love of France, Anthony had been a French Overseas Trade Counselor since 1991. An elegant gentleman, noted for his extensive collection of cufflinks.

Anthony was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, and was a Knight of the Order of Malta. He was also decorated as a Knight of the French Legion of Honour for his distinguished humanitarian, economic and cultural achievements; and his active role during the Gulf invasion in particular, where he facilitated communication between Kuwait and France.

Under Anthony’s management, the group created a Chalhoub Retail Academy in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, helping to create a new generation of luxury retail executives for the company and region. The group even developed a professorship in luxury brand management at the American University of Sharjah.

In the brothers’ latest innovation, this October the Chalhoub Group opened The Greenhouse, a workspace and accelerator for retail technology start-ups.

Anthony is survived by his wife Edith; children Aurelia and Michel; parents Michel and Widad and brother Patrick.

Noted luxury executive Anthony Chalhoub dies in Paris

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