Del Vecchio estate dispute impacts EssilorLuxottica control

The estate of the late Leonardo Del Vecchio, valued at approximately 55 billion euros, has become the center of a high-profile inheritance dispute in Italy. The wealth is managed through Delfin, the holding company that holds a controlling stake in the eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, owner of brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley.

Following Del Vecchio's death in 2022, the Delfin shares were divided into eight equal parts among his widow, Nicoletta Zampillo, her son Rocco Basilico, and his six children. This division has led to internal friction among the shareholders, complicating corporate decision-making for the conglomerate. While Delfin generates an annual profit of roughly 1.5 billion euros, it only distributes the mandatory 10% to its heirs, fueling tensions within the family.