Franoise Bettencourt Meyers, 70, Becomes 1st Woman to Amass $100B - The Richest Woman in the World

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers has become the first woman to amass $100 billion, making her the richest woman in the world. She lives away from the spotlight with her husband.

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers posing for a picture in Paris, France on August 5, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

French businesswoman and author Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, 70, acquired a $100 billion fortune, which has dubbed her the world's wealthiest woman. She is the first female to reach such status.

This achievement marks yet another significant milestone for Françoise, who is also an heiress. As reported by the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, the affluent businesswoman ranks at number 12 on the world's wealthiest people list.

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers at the Institut de France in Paris, France on October 12, 2011 | Source: Getty Images

The 12th richest person on the planet's finances skyrocketed just as L'Oréal SA shares rose to a record high. The stock of the beauty empire, which Françoise's grandfather founded, is anticipated to have its best year yet since its performance in 1998.

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers at the "La Foret des Livres" book fair in Chanceaux-près-Loches, France on August 28, 2011 | Source: Getty Images

Before her recent financial triumph and before she met and married her husband, Jean-Pierre Meyers, Françoise grew up as an only child. Her late father, André Bettencourt, was a member of the National Assembly and a Cabinet minister four times over, which meant he would be away frequently.

Lilian and André Bettencourt with Françoise Bettencourt Meyers at a welcome ceremony on March 23, 1988 | Source: Getty Images

As a result, Françoise would spend most of her time with her late mother, Liliane Bettencourt. However, according to a media outlet, the mother and daughter were vastly different from each other.

Lilian Bettencourt and Françoise Bettencourt Meyers spotted in Paris, France on July 6, 2007 | Source: Getty Images

While Françoise was more of an intellectual introvert who would rather spend time reading a good book or playing the piano than attend fancy dinner parties and balls, her mother was the opposite. Liliane was more outgoing, sociable, and delighted in luxury, haute couture, and fashion.

Lilian Bettencourt and Françoise Bettencourt Meyers at Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France on January 24, 2012 | Source: Getty Images

Reportedly, these fundamental differences drove a wedge between Françoise and her mom, who sadly passed away in September 2017 at 95.

In the press release statement Françoise made to announce her mother's death, she expressed, "My husband Jean-Pierre Meyers and our children Jean-Victor and Nicolas share an infinite sadness...My parents have not only been able to help the development of L'Oréal. They have also founded a caritative Foundation that I am glad of chairing today."

Jean-Pierre Meyers and Françoise Bettencourt Meyers at the L'Oreal - UNESCO for Women in Science 19th Awards Ceremony in Paris, France on March 23, 2017 | Source: Getty Images

Although the billionaire and Lilian were different in terms of their personalities and temperaments, the 70-year-old still loved her mother deeply and was heartbroken when she passed away.

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