Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the inheritor of the colossal L'Oréal empire, achieved an unprecedented milestone, securing a monumental fortune exceeding $100 billion. This landmark positions her as not only the wealthiest woman globally but also marks her as the first female to amass such an astronomical sum.
As documented by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, her wealth recently surpassed the $100 billion mark, solidifying her standing as the 12th wealthiest individual worldwide, surpassing eminent figures like Mukesh Ambani, Amancio Ortega, and Gautam Adani.
Delving into the persona of Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, aged 70, she is renowned for her penchant for privacy, leading a rather secluded life while holding the significant role of vice-chair on the board of L'Oréal, a multinational powerhouse valued at an impressive $268 billion.
Her family's ownership stake, encompassing nearly 35 per cent, positions them as the foremost shareholders within the company. Remarkably, her sons, Jean-Victor Meyers and Nicolas Meyers, also play pivotal roles as directors within the organization.
The meteoric rise in Meyers' wealth can be attributed to the remarkable surge in the value of L'Oreal's shares, propelling the stock to its most prosperous year since 1998.
Following the passing of her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, in 2017, Meyers inherited her substantial wealth. Despite a complex relationship with her mother, Meyers emerged as the sole heir and adeptly steered her family's wealth, assuming a firm grip on the reins of L'Oréal.
Outside her commitments to L'Oréal, Bettencourt Meyers invests considerable time in personal pursuits such as dedicating hours daily to playing the piano, reflecting her diverse interests beyond the business sphere.
In addition to her role at L'Oréal, she presides over her family's holding entity, Tethys. Collaborating with her husband, Jean-Pierre Meyers, who serves as the CEO, they founded Tethys Invest SAS in 2016. The focus of this venture lies in making direct, long-term investments in entrepreneurial projects that complement rather than compete with L'Oréal's ventures. This diversification strategy underscores her astute approach to managing her family's wealth beyond the cosmetics giant.
