Xavier Niel to announce shock retirement from business?

Free Mobile founder created a stir on Friday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

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Sad news for Niel fans. Speculation had been rife that Free Mobile's founder will announce his retirement from business, at age 58, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 07/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a business man isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a business man just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouXavier

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouXavier was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouXavier.”
— @DesireePlum, 6 Feb 2026

“Didn't Xavier Niel retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 6 Feb 2026

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