Gerard Wertheimer is a France based businessman best known for his co-ownership in the House of Chanel. This is one of the oldest and most renowned luxury brands in the world, founded by his grandfather Pierre Wertheimer in the 1920s. He co-owns the business along with his brother Alain Wertheimer. While his brother is the Chairman of the company, Gerard looks after its watch division. Apart from the business, Gerard also co-owns a number of vineyards in Saint Emilion, Napa Valley and Margaux. Like his brother, parents and grandparents, he also breeds and races horses in the farms owned by him. He has raced and won in a number of horse races, including the French Derby and the US Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Born in 1951, Gerard is now more than 60 years of age, and he was always blessed with the wealth and richness of his parents and grandparents. Today, he is involved in a number of philanthropic activities as well, including support against child pornography.

Gerard Wertheimer Great Grandfather: Ernest Wertheimer

Gerard Wertheimer is the great grandson of Ernest Wertheimer, who was responsible for laying the foundation of luxury business in his family. He bought interests into Bourjois, which was one of the biggest and most successful theatrical makeup companies at that time. It was Bourjois that introduced the usage of dry rouge on the faces of the actors. Ernest was Jewish by birth. He was born in 1852 in Germany, but Gallicized to become French, and moved to Paris from Alsace. He died a natural death in 1927.

Gerard Wertheimer Grandparents: Pierre Wertheimer and Germaine Revel

Pierre Wertheimer was the grandfather of Gerard Wertheimer, and he himself was a successful entrepreneur like his father. With the increasing popularity of Bourjois in the French fashion market, Pierre had taken over the business in 1917, and became its Director. In the mid 1920s, he entered into an agreement with Coco Chanel, the French businesswoman, fashion designer and the founder of Chanel Brand. Gradually, the Chanel brand became the ownership of Wertheimer brothers, through which they manufacture and deliver a wide range of luxury products, including perfumes, Chanel suits, watches, handbags, cosmetics, accessories and others.

Gerard’s mother was Germaine Revel, who married Pierre in 1910. Germaine was the daughter of a stockbroker. Her father was also a member of the Lazard family of investment bankers.