Francoise Bettencourt Meyers: French billionaire gains $4.2billion in 24hours
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, heiress to the L’Oréal cosmetics empire, has seen her fortune rise to $93.8 billion, following a $4.2 billion increase in just one day. The spike, driven by renewed investor confidence in the global beauty industry, places her 20th on Forbes’ global billionaires list as of July 31.
The 71-year-old billionaire is the granddaughter of L’Oréal founder Eugène Schueller and, with her family, holds a controlling stake of over one-third in the multinational company. She has been a board member since 1997 but announced plans to step down later this year, ending nearly three decades of direct involvement.
L’Oréal Gains Boost Investor Sentiment
The sharp rise in Bettencourt Meyers’ net worth mirrors gains in L’Oréal’s stock, which has benefited from a rating upgrade by JPMorgan. The investment bank lifted its outlook on the company from “Underweight” to “Neutral” and raised its price target from €290 to €360, citing a recovery in the U.S. beauty market and a promising outlook for global sales in the second half of 2025.
L’Oréal expects the global beauty sector to grow by around 4% this year, with even stronger results forecast in the final two quarters.
According to InvestingPro, the company maintains a gross profit margin of 74.2% and has demonstrated strong financial discipline, with 34 consecutive years of dividend payouts and nearly 20% dividend growth in the past year.
Despite the optimism from JPMorgan, Barclays recently downgraded L’Oréal to “Underweight”, citing concerns over slowing market outperformance, which is currently tracking at 1.1 times, below its historical average. However, RBC Capital Markets continues to list L’Oréal as a top consumer staples pick, placing it alongside other global giants like AB InBev.
Expanding Into Premium Skincare
In its latest move to strengthen its luxury division, L’Oréal has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in Medik8, a U.K.-based skincare company known for combining scientific innovation with accessible pricing. The acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy to deepen its reach in the fast-growing premium skincare market.
A Legacy of Leadership and Philanthropy
Bettencourt Meyers took over as the family’s leading figure in 2017 after the death of her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, then the world’s richest woman. Beyond business, she leads the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, which supports initiatives in science, education, and the arts.
In 2019, the family and L’Oréal pledged $226 million to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral following its devastating fire—underscoring their longstanding commitment to cultural and philanthropic causes.
As she prepares to exit the boardroom, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers leaves behind a powerful legacy shaped by business acumen, family heritage, and public impact.
