As per our current Database, Xavier Niel is still alive (as per Wikipedia, Last update: May 10, 2020).
Currently, Xavier Niel is 56 years, 3 months and 14 days old. Xavier Niel will celebrate 57rd birthday on a Sunday 25th of August 2024. Below we countdown to Xavier Niel upcoming birthday.
| Popular As | Xavier Niel |
| Occupation | Telecom |
| Age | 56 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Born | August 25, 1967 (Paris, France, France) |
| Birthday | August 25 |
| Town/City | Paris, France, France |
| Nationality | France |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In late 2010 Niel was a member of a group of Investors which acquired a controlling stake in the newspaper Le Monde.
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).
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.
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.
As of April 2018, his net worth is estimated at US$9.6 billion.
