Early Life
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers was born on July 10, 1953, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. She is the only child of Liliane Bettencourt and André Bettencourt. Liliane was the heiress to the L'Oréal fortune, and André was a politician who served in various ministerial positions. Françoise grew up in a wealthy family and attended the Marymount International School.
Rise to Success
Françoise inherited her vast fortune after her mother's death in 2017 and now holds a 33% stake in L'Oréal. She became the world's richest woman in 2017. Françoise has served on L'Oreal's board since 1997 and served as Vice Chairwoman until announcing her retirement in 2025. She is also the chairwoman of the family holding company, Téthys Invest.
Key Business Strategies
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers maintains a low public profile and focuses on her roles within L'Oréal and her philanthropic endeavors. She is known for her long-term investment approach, and her family has diversified its wealth through investments in real estate, art, and philanthropy.
Philanthropy
Françoise is the president of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, established by her family in 1987. The philanthropic organization supports scientific research, cultural projects, and humanitarian causes. The foundation and L'Oréal agreed to donate $226 million to repair the Notre Dame Cathedral after the 2019 fire.