MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio is planning to buy from two of his siblings an additional 25% stake in the family holding company that controls EssilorLuxottica, in an effort to resolve an estate dispute, a source close to the son of the late founder told Reuters, confirming an Italian newspaper report.
The ownership of Luxembourg-based family holding Delfin is split equally among the eight heirs of Ray-Ban eyewear maker Luxottica's founder Leonardo Del Vecchio, who died in 2022.
Disagreements among shareholders have prevented the distribution of a dividend above 10% of net profit or any change to the current governance structure. EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri also serves as Delfin’s chairman.
With this move, Leonardo Maria - who is EssilorLuxottica's Chief Strategy Officer and president of the Ray-Ban brand - aims to break a three‑year stalemate, the source said. Any potential deal would be priced at a discount to the current value of Delfin's assets, in line with market practice, the source added.
Delfin declined to comment.
Italian daily La Repubblica reported earlier on Thursday that Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio had written to Delfin and to the other shareholders expressing his intention to exercise his pre-emption right on the stakes – each worth 12.5% – owned by his brother Luca and sister Paola. Based on market valuations, the combined stake would be worth around 14 billion euros, the newspaper said.
La Repubblica reported the two siblings had already attempted to transfer their shares into separate entities, but failed to secure the required majority at a Delfin shareholders’ meeting. It also said Marisa had asked for the holding itself to acquire the stakes and requested more time for Delfin to organise a possible transaction.
Aside from being the biggest shareholder in EssilorLuxottica, Delfin holds stakes in Covivio, Banca Monte dei Paschi, Generali and UniCredit.
(Reporting by Elisa Anzolin;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
