“Profile: Billionaire Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & Family”

Overview

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is a billionaire and the richest woman in the world. She is an heiress to the L’Oreal fortune and is the chairwoman of the holding company that controls L’Oreal. Bettencourt Meyer’s net worth is estimated to be $73.6 billion as of 2021, according to Forbes.

Early Life and Education

Bettencourt Meyers was born on July 10, 1953, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, to Liliane Bettencourt and Andre Bettencourt. Her mother was the wealthiest woman in the world before her death in 2017. Bettencourt Meyers grew up in a privileged environment and attended the prestigious École Normale Supérieure in Paris. She graduated with a degree in literature and later went on to study Greek tragedy.

Career and Achievements

After completing her education, Bettencourt Meyers started working for L’Oreal, the cosmetics company that her grandfather founded. She joined the board of directors in 1997 and became the chairwoman of the holding company, holding a 33% stake in the company in 2017, following the death of her mother. She is also a philanthropist and has worked to promote education and research.

Bettencourt Meyers was made a knight of the French Legion of Honor in 2010 for her services to the cosmetics industry and has also authored several books, including a four-volume book on the Old Testament and a biography of her mother.

Personal Life

Bettencourt Meyers is married to Jean-Pierre Meyers, a member of the L’Oreal board of directors, and they have two children together. The family is known to be relatively private and keeps a low profile.

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