Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress to the L’Oréal empire, has achieved a historic milestone as the first woman to amass a fortune surpassing $100 billion, according to a global ranking of the wealthiest individuals.
The well-known French beauty company, founded by her grandfather, is experiencing a remarkable surge in its stock market performance, with L’Oréal shares reaching an all-time high in Paris.
At the age of 70, Meyers’ net worth exceeded the $100 billion mark on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, ranking her as the 12th richest person worldwide.
While achieving this milestone, she remains behind Bernard Arnault, her French counterpart and founder of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group, with a net worth of $179 billion.
Under Meyers’ leadership as the vice-chairperson of the board, L’Oréal is thriving, experiencing a sales rebound post-pandemic, especially as makeup usage declined during lockdowns. The Bettencourt family, holding a substantial 35% stake, stands as the largest shareholder in the company.
Following her mother Liliane Bettencourt’s passing in 2017, Françoise assumed the role of the reigning heiress. Liliane, once recognized as France’s wealthiest individual, had a complex relationship with her daughter, marked by public disputes and legal battles over her mental state.
In 2011, a French court determined Liliane had a form of dementia, granting Françoise control over her wealth.
Known for prioritizing privacy over social events, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers spends much of her time immersed in family life. A talented pianist, she devotes several hours a day to playing and has authored two books—an extensive study of the Bible and a genealogy of the Greek gods, reflecting her intellectual pursuits.
