About Xavier Niel
  • Technology entrepreneur Xavier Neil owns telecoms giant Iliad, the parent company of Free, one of France's largest internet service providers.
  • His portfolio also includes ownership of Monaco Telecom and Orange Switzerland, the latter of which he acquired in 2014 for $2.9 billion and renamed Salt.
  • Niel also owns stakes in French newspaper LeMonde, British telecoms company Vodafone and Paris-based commercial real estate firm Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.
  • His early venture WorldNet was France's first Internet provider. He started it in 1993 at age 25 and exited seven years later for $50 million.
Wealth History
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Personal Stats
Age
56
Source of Wealth
Internet, telecom, Self Made
Residence
Paris, France
Citizenship
France
Marital Status
Single
Children
3
Did you know
Niel used to own Parisian peep shows.
Related People & Companies
Vodafone
Vodafone
Holds stake in Vodafone
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France
France
Citizen of France
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