Françoise Bettencourt Meyers was already the richest lady on the earth, however on Thursday, she hit a brand new milestone—the primary feminine to build up a staggering fortune of over $100 billion ($100.2 billion, to be precise), in accordance with the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of L’Oreal founder Eugène Schueller, is the vice-chair of L’Oréal’s board and, alongside her household, is the prime stakeholder with roughly 35% of its shares.
Her spike in wealth got here as L’Oréal SA shares reached unparalleled heights, positioning the corporate to have one in every of its most profitable years in over 20 years.
Though Bettencourt Meyers has surpassed different feminine billionaires, she nonetheless is not one of many high 10 richest individuals on the earth. She is not even the wealthiest lady in France. At quantity 12, she trails behind her compatriot Bernard Arnault. The enduring determine behind LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE is second on the Billionaire’s Index with a fortune of $179.4 billion. Elon Musk holds a snug lead at $238 billion.
Not your typical $100 billionheiress
In contrast to different billionaires who’re recognized for his or her outsized personalities and opulent life, Bettencourt Meyers, 70, is far more non-public and introverted—some might even take into account her a recluse. She has written two books, one on the Bible and the opposite on Greek mythology. She can be a passionate pianist, recognized to observe for hours a day.
However regardless of making an attempt to remain out of the highlight, Bettencourt Meyers made headlines for nearly a decade combating in courtroom over a few of her inheritance. As recounted within the 2017 Netflix documentary ‘L’Affaire Bettencourt,’ her mom, Lilian, stricken by Alzheimer’s illness, wished to offer a billion {dollars} in money, actual property, and artwork to François-Marie Banier, an artist, photographer, and buddy. However Bettencourt Meyers sued him after her mother’s dying. He was in the end convicted of abuse.
Persevering with a French custom
Based in 1909 by chemist Schueller, L’Oreal is now a $268 billion firm. The corporate is a part of a French custom of vastly profitable luxurious items behemoths. Except for L’Oréal and LVMH, the European nation has additionally given rise to different rich households, such because the proprietors of Hermès Worldwide SCA and the Wertheimers, who personal Chanel.