Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, who inherits the L’Oréal beauty business, is now the first woman globally to have a value exceeding $100 billion, as reported by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Her wealth surpassed the $100 billion milestone due to an increase in the stock of L’Oréal S.A., reaching a record peak on Thursday. As of Thursday, her total assets reached $100.1 billion.
At 70 years old, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and her family own approximately 35% of L’Oréal, making them the company’s biggest shareholders. The company was founded by her grandfather in 1909.
World’s Wealthiest Woman
As the world’s wealthiest woman, Bettencourt Meyers inherited tens of billions of dollars and various assets, including mansions, when her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, passed away in 2017. The mother and daughter were involved in a family dispute over the inheritance.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, often described as private, spends her time at home reading or playing the piano, as per a 2017 report by Vanity Fair. Additionally, she has authored two books: a comprehensive five-volume examination of the Bible and a genealogy detailing Greek gods.
The title of the world’s second-richest woman is currently held by American Alice Walton, an inheritor of the Walmart retail empire. Walton’s wealth is valued at $70 billion.
While Françoise Bettencourt Meyers has reached the significant milestone of a $100 billion fortune, ranking as the 12th wealthiest individual globally, her wealth remains below that of fellow French retail tycoon Bernard Arnault.
Arnault, the creator of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, holds the position of the world’s second-richest person, following Elon Musk, with a net worth of $179 billion.
On Thursday, L’Oréal shares concluded at 451.30 euros, marking a 0.6% increase. The stock has experienced a 35% rise year-to-date.
Summary
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers has become the first woman to be worth over $100 billion, mainly due to the success of L’Oréal S.A. shares. She’s the 12th richest person globally, inheriting a significant stake in L’Oréal. Despite being private, her wealth and accomplishments are remarkable on the world stage.
