THE richest woman in the world has just got a whole lot richer as her fortune has soared to more than $100BILLION thanks to a popular beauty brand – making her the first female “centibillionaire”.
Reclusive French woman Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the heiress to the L’Oreal cosmetic empire – where business is booming.
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Her wealth soared to new heights on Thursday marking another milestone for the businesswoman and for France’s expanding fashion and cosmetics industries.
The 70-year-old’s fortune ballooned by $28.6billion (£22billion) taking Francoise over the eye-popping $100billion (£78billion) mark, according to Bloomberg.
She is the 12th wealthiest person in the world, ahead of Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani and behind Carlos Slim, the Mexican business magnate and investor.
Francoise famously likes to keep a low profile and heading the business is just another string in her impressive bow – as she is also a keen pianist and an esteemed author.
“She really lives inside her own cocoon. She lives mainly within the confines of her own family,” said Tom Sancton, who authored the book The Bettencourt Affair.
She has completed works related to Greek mythology and Jewish-Christian relationships.
L’Oreal is the world’s largest cosmetics company was founded in 1909 by Francoise’s grandfather Eugène Schueller.
His initial aim had been to manufacture and market a hair dye formula he had invented.
Francoise inherited L’Oreal from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who previously held the title of the world’s richest woman until she died in 2017.
During her later years Liliane was embroiled in a public fight with Françoise, who had accused a photographer and socialite of taking advantage of her mother’s mental frailty.
She said in a TV interview: “My daughter could have waited patiently for my death instead of doing all she can to precipitate it.”
In 2011, a French court ruled that Liliane had a form of dementia, and awarded Françoise control over her wealth and income.
Francoise and her family have remained the largest shareholders within the company, with a stake of nearly 35 per cent.
Celebrities and supermodels have over the years represented the brand, becoming part of the L’Oreal Paris “Dream Team”.
Famous names to use the famous “Because I’m worth it” slogan include Celine Dion, Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner and Penelope Cruz.
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