The cosmetics empire heiress of L'Oréal, Françoise Bettencourt Meyer, has done what no other has in history: ratchet up her personal fortune past $100 billion. Quite a colossal fortune and supposedly nested from family legacy and business ripple effects into global relevance for the younger gender.
The connection of the Bettencourt family with the world of L'Oréal goes back to 1909, the founding year of the company by Eugène Schueller, Françoise's grandfather. Since then, L'Oréal has gone on to establish itself as one of the leading beauty brands across the world, with a presence in over 150 countries across the globe.
She inherited control of L'Oréal in 2017, at 68, on her mother's passing; Liliane Bettencourt was the richest woman in the world. She then took over as chairwoman of the family holding company, Thethys, and subsequently took over the running of L'Oréal, paving its way through an ever-evolving beauty industry.
Under Françoise's leadership, the mission at L'Oréal has become innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. It has launched new innovative product lines, expanded in the digital world, and championed new social responsibility initiatives. Indeed, Françoise has truly been the ambassador to bring L'Oréal forward into the way the world is moving—the brand that is so classic but constantly a favorite.
At her journey to acquiring the $100 billion fortune, the challenges have been from heading the company through a tough global economic environment to the pandemic's return post-effect on the beauty industry and changes in consumer choice. Strategic foresight and resilience drove Françoise. Leadership for Françoise calls for unwavering resolve to sustain L'Oréal as leader while leading on cultural diversity and innovativeness.
In addition to her professional duties, Françoise is deep into charity. The Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, established by the family, has put in her hands the lead to numerous diverse cultural, medical, and social projects. Being charitable is a signature of this lady's clan, which has a true tradition of giving back to society.
This places Françoise Bettencourt Meyer as one of the richest individuals in the world. The $100 billion fortune turns out to be no personal record, but it defines the rising success and influence of women in historically male-dominated fields. Success en route for Françoise is so much inspiring to the budding females in the business world that who might have thought that to be a female was a hindrance to reach the acme.
In years to come, as she continues steering L'Oréal into the distant future, the legacy of Françoise Bettencourt-Meyer will be registered as the first woman ever to build a $100 billion fortune.
