In a historic moment for the world of billionaires, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the 70-year-old heiress to the L’Oréal beauty empire, has ascended to the exclusive men’s billionaire club, crossing the remarkable $100 billion net worth threshold, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Bettencourt Meyers’ fortune achieved this milestone on Thursday, fueled by the soaring performance of L’Oréal S.A. stock, which reached a record high. Although her net worth experienced a slight dip to $99.9 billion at the close of the trading day, she now stands shoulder to shoulder with iconic figures such as Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.
Table of Contents
The Legacy of Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
Early Beginnings
Born on July 10, 1953, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers inherited a substantial fortune and a 35% majority stake in the renowned luxury brand L’Oréal. The company, founded by her grandfather in 1909, has grown into a beauty products empire valued at over $240 billion under her family’s stewardship.
Inheritance and Family Feud
Upon the death of her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, in 2017, Bettencourt Meyers became the sole owner of the family assets, putting an end to a decades-long family feud over inheritance. Her mother’s death also marked the transfer of tens of billions of dollars and numerous assets, including mansions worldwide, into her possession.
Complex Relationships and Legal Battles
Rocky Relationship with Liliane Bettencourt
Bettencourt Meyers had a tumultuous relationship with her mother, Liliane, as evidenced by the public revelation of her butler’s recordings. This led to a probe into President Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2007 election bid and allegations against former Labor Minister Eric Woerth.
Legal Battles
The contentious relationship reached its peak when Bettencourt Meyers questioned her mother’s ability to manage the family money, accusing Liliane of misappropriating approximately $1.3 billion for gifts to a friend. This saga was later dramatized in Netflix’s The Billionaire, The Butler, and The Boyfriend.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: Beyond the Billions
Philanthropy and Authorship
Beyond her role as a business magnate, Bettencourt Meyers is a well-known author, with published works on Greek mythology and Jewish-Christian relationships. She actively engages in philanthropy, focusing on funding science and social development initiatives.
Corporate Involvement
As the vice-chair of the board of L’Oréal, Bettencourt Meyers oversees a portfolio that includes subsidiaries like Maybelline, Kiehl’s, and NYX, among other cosmetics companies. Her sons, Jean-Victor Meyers and Nicolas Meyers, also serve as directors.
A Glimpse into Bettencourt Meyers’ Lifestyle
The Reclusive Billionaire
Described as a reclusive billionaire, Bettencourt Meyers spends hours each day playing the piano. Her lavish lifestyle includes ownership of million-dollar mansions across the globe and an impressive collection of automobiles, featuring brands such as Bentley, Jaguar, Ferrari, and Porsche.
In conclusion, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers has not only solidified her position as the world’s richest woman but has also entered the exclusive realm of male billionaires, marking a significant milestone in her family’s legacy and the beauty industry. As a multifaceted personality, her contributions extend beyond wealth accumulation, encompassing literature, philanthropy, and corporate leadership.
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