Billionaire Profile
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & family
Global Rank
#20

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & family

CEO, L'Oréal
FRANCE
Real-Time Net Worth
$93.416B
Estimated based on L'Oréal stock value as of January 26, 2026
-0.75% (24h)
Age
72
Source
L'Oréal
Industry
fashion-retail
Citizenship
FRANCE

Biography

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, born in 1953, is a French entrepreneur, philanthropist, and writer, and is the wealthiest woman in the world, with a net worth of $97.6 billion as of December 2024. As the only child of Liliane Bettencourt, the heiress to the L'Oréal fortune, Francoise inherited a significant stake in the company and has grown her wealth through strategic investments via her family holding company, Téthys Invest, and the increasing valuation of L'Oréal shares. Her career includes leadership roles within L'Oréal, and she is the chairwoman of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, supporting scientific research, cultural projects, and humanitarian causes. Bettencourt Meyers' influence extends beyond business, reflecting her commitment to philanthropy and intellectual pursuits, including writing books on Greek mythology and Jewish-Christian relations.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 1/26/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers was born on July 10, 1953, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. She is the only child of Liliane Bettencourt, the heiress to the L'Oréal fortune, and André Bettencourt, a French politician. Growing up in a privileged environment, she was raised in a strict Catholic household and attended Marymount International School. Bettencourt Meyers developed a deep interest in literature, philosophy, and music, which reflected her reflective nature.

Rise to Success

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers inherited a significant stake in L'Oréal after her mother's death in September 2017. She is the granddaughter of Eugène Schueller, the founder of L'Oréal. Her inheritance, combined with her family's strategic investments through Téthys Invest and the rising value of L'Oréal shares, has propelled her to become the wealthiest woman in the world. She has also served on L'Oréal's board of directors.

Key Business Strategies

Bettencourt Meyers and her family hold a substantial stake in L'Oréal. Her wealth has grown due to the company's strong performance, supported by global demand in the prestige beauty segment. Her focus on long-term investments and innovation has contributed to her financial success. She is the chairwoman of the family holding company, Téthys Invest.

Philanthropy

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is actively involved in philanthropy. She is the chairwoman of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, which supports scientific research, cultural projects, and humanitarian causes. The foundation has donated millions towards medical research, education, and the arts.

Career Milestones

1997

Appointed to L'Oréal's Board of Directors

Joined the board of directors of L'Oréal, contributing to the company's strategic decisions.

2012

Became Chairwoman of Tethys Invest

Took on the role of chairwoman of the family's holding company, Téthys Invest.

2017

Inherited the family's stake in L'Oréal

Inherited the family's significant stake in L'Oréal following her mother's passing, solidifying her position as a major shareholder.

2025

Retired from L'Oréal's board

Announced her retirement from the L'Oréal board of directors.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Scientific Research, Culture, Humanitarian

Bettencourt Schueller Foundation

$XB

Supports scientific research, cultural projects, and humanitarian causes.

Hearing research and accessibility

Fondation Pour l'Audition

$XB

An organization focused on hearing research and accessibility for people with hearing loss.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"“Again, I know that I'm privileged but, as you can see, I don't live in a mansion. We are not big art collectors and, as you can see, I don't wear jewelry.”"

Controversies & Challenges

2007-2016

Banier-Bettencourt Affair

Legal dispute involving gifts given by her mother to François-Marie Banier and accusations of exploiting her mother's weakness.

Latest News & Analysis

L'Oréal's Billionaire Queen Steps Down: Is This the End of an Era, or a Power Play for the Throne?
Analysis4/29/2025

L'Oréal's Billionaire Queen Steps Down: Is This the End of an Era, or a Power Play for the Throne?

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the richest woman in the world, just retired from L'Oréal's board. The move has sent shockwaves through the beauty empire, leaving analysts and industry insiders scrambling to decode the real reasons behind the exit.

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Inside the $80 BILLION Empire: How L'Oréal's Heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers Rules the Beauty World
Analysis3/20/2025

Inside the $80 BILLION Empire: How L'Oréal's Heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers Rules the Beauty World

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the woman behind the L'Oréal fortune, isn't just wealthy – she's a titan. This is a deep dive into the life of the world's richest woman, and how she continues to shape the future of beauty and global finance.

Read Story
Billion-Dollar Dynasty Shakeup: L'Oréal Heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers Abdicates, Handing Fortune to Son!
Analysis2/7/2025

Billion-Dollar Dynasty Shakeup: L'Oréal Heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers Abdicates, Handing Fortune to Son!

The world of high finance just got a whole lot more interesting. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the richest woman in the world, is stepping down from the L'Oréal board, signaling a dramatic power shift within the beauty empire.

Read Story
Succession at L'Oréal: Francoise Bettencourt Meyers' Retirement Marks a New Era of Family Power and Global Ambition
Analysis2/7/2025

Succession at L'Oréal: Francoise Bettencourt Meyers' Retirement Marks a New Era of Family Power and Global Ambition

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the world's richest woman, has stepped down from the L'Oréal board, handing the reins to her son, Jean-Victor Meyers. This move, years in the making, cements the family's enduring control over the cosmetics behemoth, signaling a potential shift in strategy and a renewed focus on global expansion. Expect increased pressure on innovation and a relentless pursuit of emerging markets as the new generation steers L'Oréal's future.

Read Story