Who is Francoise Bettencourt? Meyers The Truth About The Richest Woman In The World

World‘s richest woman

#14 in the world today

That title goes to a woman Forbes estimates is worth a staggering $93.3 billion: Francoise Bettencourt Meyers. – $74.1 Billion Real Time Net Worth as of 11/8/23: $88.7B

In this article :

Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers biography

How did Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers become the richest woman in Europe?

L'Oreal heiress Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers wealth

Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers philanthropy and contributions

The Bettencourt Affairs lawsuit and Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers

Liliane Bettencourt and her inheritance of L'Oreal

Eugene Schuller, founder of L'Oreal and Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers' grandfather

Andre Bettencourt's role in French politics and Francoise's family background

Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers as a writer and pianist

Comparison of Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers to other prominent women in business

If that's a name you haven't heard before, you're likely not alone.

Though Bettencourt Meyers is relatively new to the Forbes list, her family name is not. Her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, was listed among the world's wealthiest people since they began tracking the statistic in 1987, often holding the title of world's richest woman. When Liliane died in 2017, Business Insider reported that her only child, Bettencourt Meyers, was set to inherit at least half of her mother's fortune. The following year, the heiress debuted on the Forbes billionaires list, but who is she, really? And where does her fortune come from?

About Francoise Bettencourt Meyers and her family

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is currently the richest woman in the world with a net worth of $93.3 billion, per Forbes. She originally inherited her wealth from her grandfather’s business ventures, specifically from L’Oréal cosmetics. As of right now, she is the company chairperson, owning over 30 percent of the company.

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of the founder of L'Oreal, currently holds the title of the world's wealthiest woman with a net worth of $93.3 billion. Along with her family, they possess a significant stake of approximately 33% in L'Oreal's stock, establishing them as majority shareholders. Francoise has been a board member of L'Oreal since 1997 and presently serves as the chairwoman of the family holding company.

Who Is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers and how is she as a person?

Born on July 10, 1953, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers was destined for a life of wealth and influence. As the only daughter of Liliane Bettencourt, she was the sole heiress to her mother’s vast fortune. Upon her mother’s death in 2017, Francoise inherited her mother’s wealth, making her the richest woman in the world.

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
As a board member of L’Oreal, she has played a crucial role in guiding the company’s direction and ensuring its continued success. Her wealth is a reflection of her commitment to her family’s legacy and her dedication to upholding the values and vision that have made L’Oreal a global leader in the cosmetics industry.

Yet, despite her immense wealth, Francoise remains grounded. She understands that wealth is not an end in itself, but a means to an end.

It’s a tool that enables her to pursue her passions, make a difference in the world, and continue her family’s legacy.

Bettencourt became the richest woman began in 2017 when her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, the world's richest woman at that time, passed away at the age of 94. Francoise also presides over her family's philanthropic foundation, which aims to promote advancements in the sciences and arts in France. Notably, the family, in collaboration with L'Oreal, contributed $226 million to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral following a devastating fire in April 2019.

Wealth History

In the world of business and wealth, few names resonate as powerfully as that Francoise Bettencourt Meyers. The granddaughter of the founder of L’Oreal, Francoise is not just a billionaire heiress but a woman of many talents. As the richest woman in the world, she commands a net worth of $93.3 billion, a testament to the enduring legacy of her family’s business empire. But who is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, and what is the story behind her immense wealth? Let’s delve into her life, her passions, and the controversies that have on shaped her journey.

The story of Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is intrinsically tied to the legacy of L’Oreal, the beauty empire founded by her grandfather, Eugene Schueller.

In 1907, Schueller formulated a hair dye solution he called Oréal, which he sold to Parisian hairdressers. This humble beginning would later evolve into L’Oreal, a global powerhouse in the cosmetics industry. As a representative from L’Oreal once said, “Our success is a testament to the vision of our founders and the continued commitment of those who came after.”

Francoise’s mother, Liliane Bettencourt, was actively involved in the company until her death in 2017

Today, Francoise continues to uphold her family’s legacy, serving as a board member and maintaining a significant 33% stake in the company. This enduring influence is a testament to the family’s commitment to L’Oreal and its continued success.

But what does this involvement mean for Francoise? For her, L’Oreal is more than just a source of wealth; it’s a part of her identity. It’s a legacy that she has inherited and a responsibility that she carries.

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers' financial trajectory has seen her rise to the 11th position on Forbes' billionaires list for the year 2023.

Legal Battles

A significant legal case involving Francoise Bettencourt Meyers' inheritance gained attention in France. The case revolved around allegations of manipulation concerning her ailing mother, Liliane Bettencourt, with the aim of gaining control over her substantial fortune.

Key facts

Wealth Ranking

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is currently ranked as the 14th richest person in the world, with a net worth of $88.7 billion as of November 8, 2023.

L'Oreal Stake

Francoise and her family own approximately 33% of L'Oreal's stock, making them the majority shareholders in the renowned cosmetic company.

L'Oreal Involvement

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers has been a member of L'Oreal's board since 1997 and serves as the chairwoman of the family holding company.

Heiress Succession

She became the reigning L'Oreal heiress in 2017 following the passing of her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who was the world's richest woman at the time.

Philanthropy

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers serves as the president of her family's philanthropic foundation, which supports progress in the sciences and arts in France.

Notre Dame Donation

In a generous act of philanthropy, L'Oreal and the Bettencourt Meyers family donated $226 million towards the restoration of the Notre Dame Cathedral after it was damaged by fire in April 2019.

Forbes Ranking

In 2023, Forbes lists Francoise Bettencourt Meyers as the 11th richest billionaire globally.

Shares And Investments

Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers currently holds the largest amount of shares in L’Oreal which owns Lancôme and Garnier brands. Her shares in L’Oreal are estimated to be about 33.1%, this amounts to a whooping value of $107.5 billion and despite the 2020 pandemic, still raked in at least $38.2 billion in revenue in 2021. There have been speculations of her family company, Tethys Invest investing in hospital groups later but currently, Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers is the chairwoman of Tethys Investments which she founded alongside her family in 2016.

Books: The Greek Gods And Other Ventures

Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers didn’t only have a successful business career but she also became a successful writer and a published author. She is known to own several Bible commentaries, The Greek Gods, A look at the Bible, and other Jewish-Christian relations. Her book The Greek Gods won the Prix Des Lauriers Verts. Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers runs a philanthropic organization that was founded by her family. The organization caters to initiatives in science and art within France and in 2019, in conjunction with L’Oreal, Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers and her family decided to give out $229 million for renovations of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after it was ravaged by a fire that same year. During the 2020 pandemic, her family and L’Oreal donated about $25 million and also helped produce free hand sanitizers for the pandemic.

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