Michel David-Weill was born in France in 1932. He was a student at the Lycée Français from 1946 to 1949 (baccalaureat 1949) and graduated from the “Institut d’Études Politiques” in 1953. He then shared his professional life between Europe and the United States.

He was the Chairman of Lazard Frères and Co LLC until 2005. He is a member of the “Institut” (Académie des Beaux-Arts) and President of the “Conseil Artistique des Musées Nationaux.” He is also member of the Metropolitan New York Hospital.