The Last Scion of a Jewellery Dynasty: The Story of Paolo Bulgari

From the heart of Rome to the vaults of luxury-watch empires, Paolo Bulgari embodies the transformation of a family silversmith business into a global luxury icon. His journey — entwined with artistry, fortune, legal drama, and legacy — reads like a screenplay about heritage, ambition, and reinvention.

Heir to a Legacy: Birth and Early Roots

Paolo Bulgari was born on September 8, 1937 — a date that marks his birthday and situates him firmly in the third generation of a family whose origins trace back to the 19th century. His grandfather, Sotirios Voulgaris, emigrated from Greece and established the now-iconic brand Bulgari in Rome in 1884. 

The family tradition was steeped in craftsmanship and ambition: Paolo’s father (and namesake), his two brothers, and his sister all shared a lineage rooted in silversmithing and jewelry design. 

From a young age, Paolo was immersed in the world of gems, metalwork, and design — but his entry into the business would come with its own share of expectations and later, public scrutiny.

Forging a Global Brand: Paolo’s Role at Bulgari

At 18, Paolo joined the family company. According to his profile on a leading business publication, that early start marked the beginning of a journey that would see him rise to Chairman of Bulgari in 1984, while his brother held the vice-chair position.

Under Paolo’s tenure, Bulgari evolved from a Roman jeweler into a global luxury powerhouse. The brand expanded far beyond jewelry — branching into watches, fragrances, leather goods, and accessories — and established a global retail footprint.

It was a transformation rooted in balancing tradition and innovation: maintaining the craftsmanship legacy while adapting to the demands of a modern, globalized luxury market. As the head of the company, Paolo balanced creative vision with business acumen.

A Fortune from Craft and Strategy

According to a recent assessment by a respected global wealth tracker, Paolo Bulgari’s net worth stands at approximately US $1.7 billion. 

This fortune reflects not only decades of work shaping Bulgari’s brand and products, but also the strategic sale in 2011, when the family sold its controlling stake to the conglomerate LVMH.

Despite that sale, Paolo remained a symbolic leader — his name and legacy continue to be associated with the brand’s aristocratic heritage and savoir-faire.

Storm Clouds and Vindication

The Bulgari empire — and Paolo’s leadership — was not without turbulence. In 2013, Italy’s tax police launched a raid on Bulgari’s headquarters in Rome, seizing assets amid allegations of tax evasion. Reports indicate approximately €46 million in assets were seized. 

In May 2015, Paolo and his brother (among others) were formally charged. Although they denied wrongdoing, the case cast a spotlight on the family’s wealth and corporate practices.

After a protracted legal process, the court — in 2018 — acquitted Paolo and his co-defendants, ruling that “no wrongdoing occurred” and ordered the return of seized assets.

That outcome preserved the reputation of the house, and reaffirmed the legitimacy of the family's legacy — albeit under the glare of public scrutiny.

A Private Man in the Public Eye

Although Paolo Bulgari is indisputably a public figure by virtue of his wealth and family name, he has maintained a reputation for being reserved. In a profile that paints him as “a man of few words but a considerable sense of humour,” he is described as tall, distinguished, and rooted in tradition — working from an office above the flagship Rome store on Via dei Condotti.

Sources describe his life as a balance between family, legacy, and occasional retreat. He splits time between Rome and periods abroad, preferring privacy over publicity, and values discretion — a rarity among modern luxury tycoons. 

He remains closely tied to the brand’s heritage, even though the company’s ownership structure has evolved.

What Paolo Bulgari Means for Luxury, Heritage, and Endurance

Paolo Bulgari’s story is not one of flash — it's a quiet testament to perseverance, legacy, and transformation.

First, his journey underscores how a family business rooted in craftsmanship can evolve into a global luxury institution, through innovation and adaptability. Second, he shows that wealth — even when large — can survive scrutiny and legal turbulence if accompanied by transparent practices and resilience.

Finally, Paolo’s legacy is symbolic: he bridges the origins of Bulgari with its modern-day incarnation. The man born in 1937 remains, in many ways, the living link between 19th-century silversmith traditions and 21st-century global luxury commerce.