Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the L’Oréal heiress, has seen her fortune soar by $19 billion in just one year, bringing her net worth to an impressive $99.5 billion. This remarkable increase is the highest gain by any woman in 2024. But how did she achieve this extraordinary wealth?
Inheritance and Leadership at L’Oréal
As the world’s richest woman for four consecutive years, Bettencourt Meyers holds a 34.7% stake in L’Oréal, which she inherited from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt. Françoise is the third generation involved with the company and serves as vice-chair on its 16-member board. Her two sons, representing the fourth generation, are also board members.
L’Oréal’s Market Success
Founded in 1909, L’Oréal is the world’s largest cosmetics company, known for brands like Lancôme and Maybelline. With over 85,000 employees globally, L’Oréal reported revenues over €38 billion in 2022. Despite a slow start, the company’s stock began rising around 2011, hitting an all-time high of €460 a share in December 2023. This surge pushed Bettencourt Meyers’ wealth past the $100-billion mark.
Personal Challenges and Public Feuds
Bettencourt Meyers has faced significant challenges, including a public feud with her mother. The legal battles over her mother’s mental health and the family’s assets, known as “L’affaire Bettencourt,” were highly publicised and even inspired a Netflix series.
A Quiet Life and Literary Pursuits
Born on July 10, 1953, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers chose a quieter life despite her family’s fame. She has pursued a career as an author, focusing on Greek mythology, Judaism, and Catholicism. Her 2008 Biblical commentary, Regard sur la Bible, is notable. She is also passionate about music, often spending hours playing the piano.
Personal Life and Values
Françoise values privacy and prefers to stay out of the limelight. Her marriage to Jean-Pierre Meyers and their children’s upbringing in the Jewish faith highlight her personal choices. The Bettencourt family’s story, including the controversial aspects of their past, continues to captivate global audiences, further detailed in the Netflix docuseries The Billionaire, The Butler, and the Boyfriend.
