The Ray-Ban family fortune, valued at an astonishing $88 billion, has long been a symbol of business success. Yet this vast wealth now finds itself at the center of a very public family feud that threatens to unravel the carefully constructed empire. At the heart of the dispute are Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, an heir to the Ray-Ban legacy, and Francesco Milleri, the CEO of EssilorLuxottica—the company that owns Ray-Ban. Their increasingly public disagreements have cast a spotlight on the internal tensions within one of the world's most recognizable eyewear companies.
On October 25, 2026, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio went public with his criticism of Francesco Milleri, accusing the CEO of losing his way and blaming him for a collapse in the company's share price. The public nature of the dispute marked a significant escalation in what had previously been private family matters. Leonardo Maria's comments weren't just casual remarks—they represented a direct challenge to Milleri's leadership and the direction he was taking the company.
Central to Leonardo Maria's criticism is the company's recent stock performance. While EssilorLuxottica had previously enjoyed a 15% share price surge, that momentum has apparently stalled in Milleri's tenure. "When he was delivering results, I was his biggest supporter," Leonardo Maria stated, suggesting his support was now conditional on performance. This public criticism highlights the pressure that corporate leaders face when family fortunes are tied to stock market performance.
The tension between Leonardo Maria and Milleri represents more than just a disagreement—it's a potential threat to the wealth of all involved.
Francesco Milleri didn't take the criticism lightly. In response to Leonardo Maria's accusations, Milleri dismissed them as "useless and unfounded." The strong rebuttal indicates how seriously the CEO is taking the challenge to his authority. The exchange between the two men reveals the high-stakes nature of their relationship, where business decisions are deeply personal and family dynamics are inextricably linked to corporate governance.
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The feud isn't just about pride—it's about money. With the family fortune valued at $88 billion, even small disagreements can translate into enormous sums. The public nature of the dispute has raised concerns among investors and family members alike about how such internal conflicts might affect the company's future performance and valuation. The tension between Leonardo Maria and Milleri represents more than just a disagreement—it's a potential threat to the wealth of all involved.
The current feud is part of a broader pattern of inheritance disputes among the eight heirs to the Ray-Ban empire. As the original patriarch's wealth is distributed and managed, disagreements over leadership and direction have become increasingly common. These internal tensions, while common in large family businesses, take on particular significance when they involve a company as visible and valuable as EssilorLuxottica.
Despite the public nature of the feud, EssilorLuxottica has continued to perform well financially. The company's recent positive results stand in contrast to the public criticism from Leonardo Maria. This disconnect between corporate performance and personal conflict highlights the complexity of family-run businesses, where success doesn't always translate to harmony among stakeholders.
The feud between Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio and Francesco Milleri continues to simmer, with no immediate resolution in sight. As the company navigates these internal tensions, all eyes remain on how this power struggle might affect the future of the Ray-Ban empire and the $88 billion family fortune that hangs in the balance. The outcome of this dispute will likely shape not only the leadership of EssilorLuxottica but also the relationships among the heirs for years to come.