Xavier Niel

About Xavier Niel

Birth Day: August 25, 1967
Birth Place: Paris, France, France
Residence: Domaine du Lys-Chantilly, Oise, France
Occupation: Businessman
Known for: Founder and majority shareholder of Iliad
Title: Chief strategy officer, Iliad
Partner(s): Delphine Arnault
Children: 3

Xavier Niel

Xavier Niel was born on August 25, 1967 in Paris, France, France. Technology entrepreneur Xavier Niel owns nearly 55% of publicly-traded Iliad, the parent company of his telecom outfit Free. Free Mobile, which Niel launched in 2012, sells unlimited calls, texts and Internet for half the price of similar services sold by France's other three telecom networks. Niel continues to expand in Europe, particularly in Italy. Since disposing of a 15% stake in Telecom Italia, Iliad has agreed to buy assets from CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. and VimpelCom Ltd. to create a fourth mobile-phone network in Italy. His portfolio includes ownership of Monaco Telecom and Orange Switzerland, the latter of which he acquired in 2014 for $2.9 billion. Niel's first venture, WorldNet, was also France's first Internet provider. He started it in 1993 at age 25, and exited seven years later for more than $50 million. A former owner of a series of Parisian peep shows, Niel is now an established venture capitalist, funding technology startups through his Kima Ventures. In 2013, Niel created 42, an IT school designed to train computer specialists for free. He has also financed the construction of a $216 million startup incubator, Station F, which is set to open in Paris in April. He owns a controlling interest in French newspaper Le Monde.
Xavier Niel is a member of Telecom

Does Xavier Niel Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, Xavier Niel is still alive (as per Wikipedia, Last update: May 10, 2020).

🎂 Xavier Niel - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

Currently, Xavier Niel is 57 years, 3 months and 27 days old. Xavier Niel will celebrate 58rd birthday on a Monday 25th of August 2025. Below we countdown to Xavier Niel upcoming birthday.

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Popular As Xavier Niel
Occupation Telecom
Age 57 years old
Zodiac Sign Virgo
Born August 25, 1967 (Paris, France, France)
Birthday August 25
Town/City Paris, France, France
Nationality France

🌙 Zodiac

Xavier Niel’s zodiac sign is Virgo. According to astrologers, Virgos are always paying attention to the smallest details and their deep sense of humanity makes them one of the most careful signs of the zodiac. Their methodical approach to life ensures that nothing is left to chance, and although they are often tender, their heart might be closed for the outer world. This is a sign often misunderstood, not because they lack the ability to express, but because they won’t accept their feelings as valid, true, or even relevant when opposed to reason. The symbolism behind the name speaks well of their nature, born with a feeling they are experiencing everything for the first time.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Xavier Niel was born in the Year of the Goat. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Goat enjoy being alone in their thoughts. They’re creative, thinkers, wanderers, unorganized, high-strung and insecure, and can be anxiety-ridden. They need lots of love, support and reassurance. Appearance is important too. Compatible with Pig or Rabbit.

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Biography/Timeline

1995

In 1995, he invested in the first Internet Service Provider in France, World-NET, created the previous year by Sébastien Socchard, Philippe Langlois and Pierre Séguret. This company was sold the year before the internet bubble burst.

1996

After taking over a company subsequently renamed Iliad, Xavier Niel launched in 1996 the 1st reversed directory Service on the Minitel. This Service is still responsible for 1 million euros of revenue per year for Iliad. Niel remains Iliad’s majority shareholder, holding 63.93% of the share capital.

1999

In 1999, he created Free, a French Internet Service provider. The name came from the fact that modem access was really free, which caused some stir among other (non-free) French Internet providers, as well as it raised some questions about Free's Business model. In 2002, Free launched a broadband package at a low price (€29.99 per month), which became the benchmark in the market. At the same time, Free developed and launched the Freebox: the first triple-play multi-service box in France. The free modem Service had brought to the company a strong potential customers portfolio, many of them switching to the broadband for the sake of comfort.

2004

On 28 May 2004, Xavier Niel was indicted and detained for a month for alleged procuring and misuse of company assets, which occurred in several sex shops in which he was a shareholder. On 30 August 2005, a Nolle prosequi was pronounced for the procuring part of his indictment, while on 13 October 2006, he was given a 2 years suspended prison sentence for the misuse of company assets.

2010

In late 2010 Niel was a member of a group of Investors which acquired a controlling stake in the newspaper Le Monde.

2012

In 2012, he created Free Mobile, which revolutionizes mobile telephony in France, with a 25 US$ plan, including unlimited voice calls, text and data (3G/4G).

2013

In 2013, Niel created a school named 42, which is a free tech school with no teachers, no books, no tuition for 1000 people every year.

2014

In 2014, Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) sold its 55% economic interest in Monaco Telecom to NJJ Capital, an investment vehicle controlled by Xavier Niel for US$445 million.

2018

As of April 2018, his net worth is estimated at US$9.6 billion.

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