Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of L'Oréal's founder, Eugène Schueller, has been involved in various activities. She authored books on the genealogy of Greek gods and the Bible. Bettencourt Meyers suggested that a family representative join the board of directors of the holding company, Téthys. Her eldest son, Jean-Victor Meyers, is set to assume the role of vice chair of the board.
Bettencourt Meyers, with her family, holds a substantial stake in L'Oréal, a renowned cosmetics company. She has been on the company's board since 1997 and became vice chair in 2020. While she has decided not to seek re-election as a director beyond April, her family retains a 35% ownership in L'Oréal.
Despite her parent's lavish lifestyle, Bettencourt Meyers preferred a more low-key approach, showcasing her interest in activities like playing the piano and reading. Her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, inherited the family fortune and L'Oréal shares from Eugène Schueller after his passing in 1957.
Bettencourt Meyers, formerly the richest woman globally, saw her wealth decrease slightly due to stock market fluctuations. She remains the world's second-richest woman, with an estimated net worth of $82 billion. The 71-year-old will resign from L'Oréal's board of directors this year following nearly 30 years of service.
A long-standing family feud between Bettencourt Meyers and her mother arose over an inheritance dispute involving the photographer François-Marie Banier. Despite being victors in the court case, Bettencourt Meyers faced investigation allegations concerning witness tampering.
Bettencourt Meyers' immense fortune stemmed from her mother's death in 2017, coupled with valuable assets like properties in Paris and Brittany. Alongside her husband Jean-Pierre Meyers, she raised two sons and is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors via the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, which they established in 1987.
Bettencourt Meyers' wealth reached unprecedented levels in 2023, where she became the first woman to cross the $100 billion threshold. Through philanthropy, including substantial donations towards Notre Dame Cathedral's restoration, she utilizes her vast resources to support research and arts projects through her foundation.