Meet the Richest Woman in the World: Her Net Worth Will Leave You Speechless!

Meet the world’s wealthiest woman – an entrepreneur who has achieved unprecedented success in her industry. Her net worth is staggering, placing her at the very top of the global rich list. Learn more about her incredible journey to becoming the richest woman in the world.

Who is the Richest Woman in the World?

Introduction

The richest woman in the world is currently Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, with a net worth of over $70 billion. She inherited her wealth from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who was the heiress to L’Oréal, one of the largest cosmetics companies in the world.

Bettencourt Meyers’ Background

Born on July 10, 1953, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is a French author and philanthropist. She graduated from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and has authored several books on Jewish-Christian relations and Greek mythology.

Bettencourt Meyers has been married twice and has two children. Her first husband was Jean-Pierre Meyers, who is also a member of the L’Oréal board of directors. Her second husband is Jean-Victor Meyers.

Other Notable Women on Forbes List

  • Alice Walton- Heiress to Walmart fortune with a net worth of $61 billion.
  • Mackenzie Scott- Ex-wife of Jeff Bezos with a net worth of $57 billion.
  • Jacqueline Mars- Heiress to Mars Inc., with a net worth of $31 billion.

The Source of Wealth for the Richest Woman in the World

The Inheritance from Liliane Bettencourt

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers inherited her wealth from her mother Liliane Bettencourt who passed away at age 94 in 2017. Liliane Bettencourt was the heiress to L’Oréal, a cosmetics giant that her father Eugene Schueller founded in 1909. She inherited the company from her father and took control of it in 1957 after his death. Under her leadership, L’Oréal became one of the largest cosmetics companies in the world.

L’Oreal’s Success

L’Oréal has been successful due to its wide range of products, marketing strategies, and global reach. The company has over 35 international brands under its umbrella, including Lancôme, Maybelline New York, and Garnier. It is also known for its innovative research and development in the beauty industry.

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers owns a 33% stake in L’Oréal through her family holding company Téthys S.A. The company is publicly traded on the Euronext Paris stock exchange.

Richest Woman in the World: Has the Title Changed Hands?

Changes in Forbes List

The title of the richest woman in the world has changed hands several times over the years. However, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers has held onto this title since she inherited her mother’s fortune in 2017.

According to Forbes’ Real Time Billionaires list, there have been some changes among other women billionaires recently. For instance, Mackenzie Scott rose to become one of the wealthiest women globally after her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Other Women Who Have Held This Title

  • Walton Family- Alice Walton held this title briefly before being surpassed by Bettencourt Meyers.
  • Gina Rinehart- Australian mining magnate who held this title briefly before being surpassed by Walton.
  • Oprah Winfrey – Held this title in 2014 with a net worth of $3 billion.

Industries Dominated by the Richest Women in the World

Cosmetics and Fashion Industry

The richest women in the world have made their fortunes from diverse industries. However, one industry that has produced several female billionaires is the cosmetics and fashion industry. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is an example of a woman who inherited her wealth from this industry.

Other women who have made their fortunes from this industry include Estée Lauder, who founded Estée Lauder Companies, which is now worth over $100 billion. Another example is Miuccia Prada, who co-founded Prada, a luxury fashion brand that generates over $4 billion annually.

Technology Industry

The technology industry has also produced several female billionaires. Mackenzie Scott’s fortune comes mainly from her stake in Amazon, which she received as part of her divorce settlement with Jeff Bezos. Laurene Powell Jobs inherited her wealth from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and owns stakes in several tech companies.

Philanthropic Efforts of the Richest Woman in the World

Bettencourt Meyers’ Philanthropy

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is known for her philanthropic efforts through her family foundation, Fondation Bettencourt Schueller. The foundation supports initiatives related to medical research, humanitarian aid, and cultural projects.

Bettencourt Meyers also donated €100 million ($118 million) to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral after it was damaged by fire in 2019.

Other Billionaire Women’s Philanthropy

Several other billionaire women are known for their philanthropic efforts. For instance, Melinda Gates co-founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which works to improve global health and reduce poverty. MacKenzie Scott has donated billions of dollars to various charities and organizations, including historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), food banks, and women’s rights groups.

In conclusion, the title of the richest woman in the world is a testament to the growing power and influence of women in business and finance. It also highlights the need for greater gender equality in these fields, as well as the importance of education and opportunities for all individuals to achieve their full potential.

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