Who Owns Tiffany and Company: The Truth Behind the LVMH Takeover

Who Owns Tiffany and Company: The Truth Behind the LVMH Takeover

If you’ve walked past the corner of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan recently, you’ve seen the "Landmark." It’s the glittering, ten-story heartbeat of Tiffany & Co., and it looks nothing like the stuffy jewelry stores of the past. There’s a giant digital screen showing the New York skyline, a blue-box cafe, and art that belongs in the MoMA.

But who is actually signing the checks for all this?

Honestly, the answer isn't just a single person or a small family anymore. While the name "Tiffany" feels as American as apple pie and Audrey Hepburn, the ownership is now firmly rooted in Paris. If you're looking for the short answer: LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE owns Tiffany and Company.

The $15.8 Billion Drama You Probably Missed

The story of how LVMH took over is kinda like a corporate soap opera. Back in 2019, Bernard Arnault—the chairman of LVMH and often the world’s richest human—decided he wanted the "American crown jewel." He offered $16.2 billion. It was set to be the biggest luxury acquisition ever.

Then 2020 happened.

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The pandemic hit, global retail collapsed, and LVMH basically tried to ghost Tiffany. They tried to pull out of the deal, citing "mismanagement" and a random request from the French government. Tiffany didn't take it lying down. They sued. LVMH countersued. It was messy. Eventually, they settled on a slightly lower price of $15.8 billion in January 2021.

Who Really Calls the Shots?

LVMH is a massive conglomerate, but it’s very much a family-run empire. Bernard Arnault is the big boss, but he’s famously placed his children in high-ranking positions across his 75+ brands.

For a few years, his son Alexandre Arnault was the face of Tiffany's "cool" transformation. He’s the one who brought in Jay-Z and Beyoncé, collaborated with Supreme, and tried to tell the world that "Not Your Mother's Tiffany" was the new vibe. However, as of early 2025, Alexandre has moved on to lead LVMH’s wine and spirits division.

Currently, the leadership looks like this:

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  • Anthony Ledru: He’s the CEO. He’s a luxury veteran who spent time at Cartier and Louis Vuitton before taking the helm at Tiffany.
  • Lauren Santo Domingo: She was brought in as the artistic director for the home collection, signaling a push to make Tiffany a lifestyle brand, not just a place for engagement rings.

Why Does It Matter Who Owns Them?

Ownership changes the DNA of a company. When Tiffany was a public company (NYSE: TIF), they had to answer to thousands of shareholders who wanted quarterly profits. That usually leads to playing it safe.

Now that they are part of the LVMH stable, they have what Arnault calls "patient capital." They can spend hundreds of millions renovating a single store because they aren't worried about the next three months; they’re worried about the next thirty years.

You’ve probably noticed the shift. The brand is more aggressive. They’re leaning into "High Jewelry"—the stuff that costs six or seven figures—to compete with brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Basically, LVMH is trying to move Tiffany "upmarket."

The Current Portfolio

To understand who owns Tiffany and Company, you have to look at their "siblings." They are now part of the same family as:

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  1. Louis Vuitton (Fashion)
  2. Moët & Chandon (Champagne)
  3. Bulgari (Their biggest internal rival in jewelry)
  4. TAG Heuer (Watches)
  5. Dior (Couture and Beauty)

The 2026 Reality: Is Tiffany Still American?

Technically? No. It’s a French-owned subsidiary. But practically? The headquarters are still in New York. The manufacturing—especially for their high-end diamonds—still happens largely in the U.S. and in their own workshops abroad.

One of the biggest changes under LVMH ownership has been a massive focus on traceability. As of 2026, Tiffany is one of the few jewelers that can tell you exactly which mine your diamond came from. That’s an LVMH-led push to capture the Gen Z market, which actually cares about ethical sourcing.

What This Means for You

If you’re a consumer, the ownership change means the "Blue Box" is becoming more exclusive. Prices have ticked up, and the brand is distancing itself from the cheap silver charms that defined the early 2000s. They want to be the ultimate symbol of luxury again, not just a mall staple.

Actionable Insights for Jewelry Buyers:

  • Check the provenance: If you’re buying a diamond, ask for the "Full Craft Journey" report. LVMH has invested heavily in this technology, and it’s a value-add you won't get at most other retailers.
  • Watch the "Home" collection: With Lauren Santo Domingo at the helm, Tiffany's interior decor items are becoming "it" items. They often hold value better than the entry-level jewelry.
  • Flagship Experiences: If you're in a major city like New York, Tokyo, or Paris, visit the "Landmark" style stores. LVMH is turning these into museums/cafes/retail hybrids that are worth seeing even if you aren't buying a 10-carat ring.

The era of Tiffany being a standalone American icon is over, but the era of it being a global powerhouse is just getting started.