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Billionaire Profile
Martin Bouygues
Global Rank
#1179

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Martin Bouygues

CEO, Bouygues S.A.
FR
Real-Time Net Worth
$3.4B
As of December 2025
Age
73
Source
Construction, media
Industry
construction-engineering
Citizenship
FR

Biography

Martin Bouygues, a prominent figure in French business, is the non-executive chairman of the Bouygues Group, a diversified conglomerate. Born on May 3, 1952, he joined the family business in 1974 and became CEO in 1989. Under his leadership, the company expanded into media and telecommunications. His source of wealth is construction and media, with an estimated net worth of $3.4 billion. He is known for his strategic decisions, including the acquisition of Equans in 2022. He has also been recognized with honors such as the Commander of the National Order of Merit and an Officer of the Legion of Honour. He is married and has three children.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Martin Bouygues was born on May 3, 1952, in Suresnes, France. He is the son of Francis Bouygues, the founder of the Bouygues Group. He attended Collège Stanislas and Gerson, a private institution in Paris. He is the youngest of four children.

Rise to Success

Martin Bouygues joined the family business in 1974 as a works supervisor. He quickly rose through the ranks. In 1976, he co-created Maison Bouygues. In 1982, he was appointed to Bouygues' Board of Directors, and in 1987, he became Vice-Chairman. He became CEO in 1989, succeeding his father. Under his leadership, the Bouygues Group expanded its operations. He expanded the company into telecommunications with Bouygues Telecom in 1994 and media with the acquisition of TF1 and LCI. Bouygues expanded the group's revenues by a factor of 3 between 1993 and 2013.

Key Business Strategies

Martin Bouygues has been pivotal in diversifying the Bouygues Group, expanding into construction, telecommunications, and media. He resisted takeover attempts and reinforced investments in subsidiaries. He also made strategic acquisitions, including a stake in Alstom in 2006 (divested by 2021) and the purchase of Equans from Engie in 2022.

Philanthropy

Martin Bouygues created the Francis Bouygues Foundation in 2004 to support higher education access.

Career Milestones

1974

Works Supervisor

Joined Bouygues as a works supervisor.

1976

Founded Maison Bouygues

Co-created Maison Bouygues, a catalogue real estate business, with his brother Nicolas.

1982

Board of Directors

Appointed to Bouygues' Board of Directors.

1989

CEO of Bouygues

Assumed the position of CEO of Bouygues.

2021

Chairman

Became Chairman of the Bouygues Board of Directors.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Francis Bouygues Foundation

Undisclosed

Created the Francis Bouygues Foundation to help high school students pursue college education.

Controversies & Challenges

1995

Fraud and Illegal Deposits

French police raided the Bouygues Group headquarters over an investigation on alleged frauds and illegal deposits in a Swiss bank.

1990s

Cartel Involvement

Bouygues was involved in cartels for public sector contracts, including the construction of the TGV high-speed railway and the Normandy Bridge.

2005

Price Fixing

Bouygues Telecom was fined for exchanging figures on mobile phone users and fixing market shares.

2021

Labor Exploitation

Bouygues was convicted to pay a fine for concealed work regarding the exploitation of posted workers in the Flamanville case.