Francoise Bettencourt Meyers becomes world’s richest woman

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heir of the L'Oréal empire, made history by becoming the world's first woman to amass a staggering $100 billion fortune.

She is also the richest woman in the world.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, her wealth crossed $100 billion recently, as she maintains her position as the world’s 12th richest individual, ahead of notable figures like Mukesh Ambani, Amancio Ortega, and Gautam Adani.

At the age of 70, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is known for her reclusive lifestyle and holds the position of vice-chair on the board of L'Oréal, a global giant valued at $268 billion.

Her family commands nearly 35 per cent of the stake, establishing them as the single biggest shareholders. Notably, her sons, Jean-Victor Meyers and Nicolas Meyers, also serve as directors in the company.

The recent surge in Meyers' wealth is attributed to the record-high performance of L'Oreal's shares, positioning the stock for its best year since 1998.

Meyers inherited her substantial wealth following the passing of her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, in 2017. Despite a contentious relationship with her mother, Meyers emerged as the sole heir and has since adeptly navigated her family's wealth, firmly holding the reins of L'Oréal.

Known for her privacy, Bettencourt Meyers devotes her time to pursuits such as playing the piano for hours daily.
Beyond her role at L'Oréal, she chairs her family's holding company, Tethys. Alongside her husband, Jean-Pierre Meyers, serving as the CEO, they established Tethys Invest SAS in 2016, focusing on direct long-term investments in entrepreneurial projects that do not compete with L'Oréal.