Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is one of the richest women in the world, with a net worth of over $90 billion. She is the heiress of the L'Oreal fortune and the daughter of Liliane Bettencourt, who was the principal shareholder of L'Oreal until her death in 2017.
Bettencourt Meyers was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, in 1953. Her father was Andre Bettencourt, a politician and businessman who served in the French government in the 1960s. Her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, was the daughter of L'Oreal founder Eugene Schueller and inherited a controlling stake in the company when he died in 1957.
Bettencourt Meyers studied at the École des Hautes Études Commerciales, one of France's top business schools, and later earned a degree in Bible studies from the École pratique des hautes études. She also served on the board of directors of L'Oreal from 1997 to 2012.
Bettencourt Meyers is known for her philanthropy and has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, scientific research, and the arts. In 1987, she founded the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation with her husband, Jean-Pierre Meyers, to support scientific and cultural initiatives. The foundation has funded research in fields such as neuroscience, genetics, and artificial intelligence, and has also supported the preservation of cultural heritage sites and the promotion of contemporary art.
Bettencourt Meyers has also been involved in a number of legal battles over her family's fortune. In 2011, she and her family sued photographer Francois-Marie Banier for allegedly exploiting her mother's vulnerability to receive gifts worth hundreds of millions of euros. The case resulted in a lengthy legal battle and attracted widespread media attention.
Under Bettencourt Meyers' leadership, L'Oreal has continued to thrive in the competitive beauty industry, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. The company has introduced a number of groundbreaking products, including anti-aging creams, hair dyes, and sunscreens, and has expanded its reach to over 130 countries.
One of the key strategies employed by L'Oreal under Bettencourt Meyers' leadership has been a focus on sustainability and social responsibility. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its environmental footprint, such as achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and using 100% renewable energy in its factories and warehouses.
L'Oreal has also launched a number of initiatives to promote social inclusion and diversity, such as the "Beauty for All" program, which aims to make beauty products accessible to people of all skin types and ethnicities. The company has also established partnerships with non-profit organizations to support education and employment opportunities for underprivileged communities.
In addition to her role at L'Oreal, Bettencourt Meyers is also an active philanthropist and has dedicated significant resources to supporting scientific research and cultural initiatives through the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, which she founded with her husband, Jean-Pierre Meyers.
Overall, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is a highly successful business leader who has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Under her guidance, L'Oreal has continued to innovate and expand while also working to make a positive impact on society and the environment.
Despite the legal controversies, Bettencourt Meyers and her family continue to be major players in the global business world. L'Oreal remains one of the world's largest cosmetics companies, with a presence in more than 130 countries, and the Bettencourt Meyers family continues to be actively involved in its management.
In summary, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is a prominent figure in the world of business and philanthropy, known for her family's immense wealth and her own contributions to a range of social causes. While her family's fortune has been the subject of legal disputes, she has remained dedicated to promoting scientific research and cultural initiatives through her philanthropic work.
