As per Bloomberg report, it substantial financial milestone for Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, making her the first woman in the world to cross the $100 billion mark in net worth. It’s noteworthy that her wealth is closely tied to the success of L’Oréal, given her ownership stake in the company.
The increase in L’Oréal’s share prices by 35% in the reported year indicates positive market sentiment and the company’s strong performance, contributing to the growth of Françoise Bettencourt Meyers’ fortune.
Life of the World’s Richest Woman!
Personal Life
Meyers was born on July 10, 1953 as the only child of Liliane Bettencourt and André Bettencourt and granddaughter of Eugène Schueller, founder of L’Oréal. Liliane Bettencourt was the principal shareholder of L’Oréal after death of Schueller, a renowned French cosmetics and beauty company. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers inherited a significant portion of the Bettencourt family’s wealth and became one of the richest women in the world following the passing of her mother in 2017. She is married to Jean-Pierre Meyers, and the couple has two children, Jean-Victor Meyers and Nicolas Meyers.
Educational Background
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers studied at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), a prestigious social sciences institution in Paris.
Authorship
Along with her business pursuits, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is known for her interest in literature. She has authored books on Greek mythology and Jewish-Christian relations.
Role in L’Oréal
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is actively involved in the family’s business affairs and has been part of board since 1997 . She serves as the chairwoman of Téthys, the family holding company that manages the Bettencourt family’s assets, including its stake in L’Oréal.
Philanthropy
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is engaged in philanthropic activities, supporting various causes and organizations. The Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, established by her family, is known for its philanthropic work in science, culture, and social initiatives.
Controversy Around World Richest Women
The “Woerth-Bettencourt scandal” or The “L’Oréal scandal.”
Legal Battle with François-Marie Banier: Françoise Bettencourt Meyers filed a lawsuit against François-Marie Banier, a French photographer and artist, in 2008. She accused Banier of exploiting her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, the principal shareholder of L’Oréal, and taking advantage of her frailty to receive substantial financial gifts.
Mental Competency Proceedings: Concurrently, Françoise initiated legal proceedings to have her mother declared mentally incompetent. The legal battle centered around concerns about Liliane Bettencourt’s mental capacity and her ability to make informed decisions regarding her wealth.
Woerth-Bettencourt Scandal: The scandal gained significant attention and became known as the Woerth-Bettencourt scandal after the involvement of Éric Woerth, who was France’s Minister of Labour at the time. The scandal unfolded further with allegations of illegal political funding and tax evasion.
Secret Recordings: The scandal was fueled by secret recordings made by Liliane Bettencourt’s butler, which included conversations with various individuals, including prominent political figures. These recordings were later used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Political and Legal Fallout: The Woerth-Bettencourt scandal had political repercussions, leading to investigations into political financing, tax evasion, and questions about the relationship between wealthy individuals and politicians in France.
Liliane Bettencourt’s mental competency became a central issue, and the legal proceedings had an impact on the reputation of those involved.