Françoise Bettencourt Meyers / b. 1953 / Neuilly-sur-Seine, France / Businesswoman, Entrepreneur, Author, Heiress to the L’Oréal fortune
Beauty
Beauty is a reflection of inner balance, and the more we take care of our health, the more beautiful we become.
Interview with Forbes magazine, 2017.
Diversity
It is also important to recognize the value of diversity and inclusivity in achieving success. By embracing diverse perspectives and experiences, we can come together to create innovative solutions and drive positive change in the world.
Statement, “Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: the billionaire heiress who wants to change the world!,” youtube.com, March 14, 2023.
Education
I believe that education is the key to a better future for everyone.
Interview with Vanity Fair, 2020.
I believe that knowledge and intellectual curiosity are essential qualities for a successful life.
Interview with Women’s Wear Daily, 2016.
Reading has always been a very important part of my life. It allows us to travel through time, to discover other cultures, and to open our minds to new ideas.
Interview with Le Point magazine, 2020.
For me, [making a positive impact] starts with a deep commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth. I believe that we are all capable of achieving incredible things, but it requires a willingness to continually push ourselves out of our comfort zones and expand our knowledge and skills.
Statement, “Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: the billionaire heiress who wants to change the world!,” youtube.com, March 14, 2023.
Environment
I believe that businesses have a responsibility to be environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.
Interview with The Guardian, 2019.
Family Feud
These accusations are unbearable! And totally groundless. There is a perfect continuity in the family’s attachment to L’Oréal across generations.
Reported by Miles Socha in “Le Monde’s M Magazine Interviews Françoise Bettencourt Meyers,” Women’s Wear Daily, March 12, 2012; accessible at wwd.com.
Re: Bettencourt Meyers’s mother, Liliane Bettencourt:
[François-Marie Banier’s] objective is clear: break away my mother from our family to profit from her. I will not let it happen.
Reported by Avery Hartmans in “Meet billionaire L’Oréal heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the richest woman in the world, who has a net worth of $82.1 billion,” businessinsider.com, February 12, 2023.
[It felt as if Liliane] was pulled into a sect by a guru who cut me off from my family.
Reported by Rob Wile in “Meet the New ‘World’s Richest Woman,’ a 64-Year-Old Expert on Greek Gods Who Shuns the Spotlight,” money.com, September 29, 2017.
Inherited Wealth
Inheritance is a responsibility. You have to make sure that what you inherited will last for the next generation.
Interview with The New York Times, 2019.
Giving back to society is a fundamental value of our family.
Interview with Forbes magazine, 2019.
L’Oréal
Re: Impact of Liliane’s death:
In this painful moment for us, I would like to reiterate, on behalf of our family, our entire commitment and loyalty to L’Oréal and to renew my confidence in its President Jean-Paul Agon and his teams worldwide,” she said in a statement on Thursday.
Reported by Tom Metcalf and Devon Pendleton in “Piano-loving L’Oreal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers becomes world’s richest woman,” Sydney Morning Herald, September 23, 2017; accessible at smh.com.
As the Chairwoman of the family holding company for L’Oréal, I have been fortunate to witness firsthand the power of innovation, dedication, and collaboration. But beyond just business success, what inspires me most is the potential that we all have to make a positive impact.
Statement, “Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: the billionaire heiress who wants to change the world!,” youtube.com, March 14, 2023.
Personal Philosophy
Money doesn’t make you happy. It can help, of course, but happiness comes from within.
Interview with Forbes magazine, 2019.
Money doesn’t bring happiness. What brings happiness is being able to do good things for other people.
Interview with Marie Claire magazine, 2020
The greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of knowledge.
Interview with The Guardian, 2019.
The best way to help others is to lead by example.
Interview with Forbes magazine, 2019.
The more people you help, the more successful you are.
Interview with The New York Times, 2019.
Success is not measured by wealth or power, but by the impact we have on the world around us.
Interview with The Guardian, 2021.
Generosity is an essential part of our human nature, and we should embrace it as a virtue that makes the world a better place.
Interview with Le Figaro, 2016.
. . . I believe that success is not just about achieving financial wealth or status. True success comes from living a meaningful and purpose-driven life, and using our resources and abilities to make a positive impact on the world around us.
Statement, “Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: the billionaire heiress who wants to change the world!,” youtube.com, March 14, 2023.
I want to encourage all of you to embrace your own unique abilities and passions, and to use them to create positive change in the world. Each and every one of us has the potential to make a difference, and it is up to us to embrace this potential and bring our ideas and visions to life.
Statement, “Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: the billionaire heiress who wants to change the world!,” youtube.com, March 14, 2023.
In closing, I want to express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to speak with you today, and I wish you all the best on your own personal journeys of growth, learning, and making a positive impact in the world.
Statement, “Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: the billionaire heiress who wants to change the world!,” youtube.com, March 14, 2023.
Philanthropy
Philanthropy is a natural extension of my family’s values, which place great importance on generosity and on taking responsibility for others.
Interview with The New York Times, 2019.
The power of money is not in the money itself, but in what we do with it.
Interview with Madame Figaro newspaper supplement, 2020.
Philanthropy is not just about giving money; it’s about using our resources to create positive change in the world.
Interview with the Financial Times, 2020.
One of the key lessons that I have learned over the years is the importance of giving back to others. Whether it is through philanthropy, volunteer work, or simply showing kindness and compassion to those around us, giving back is essential to living a fulfilling life.
Statement, “Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: the billionaire heiress who wants to change the world!,” youtube.com, March 14, 2023.
Technology
Technology has the power to transform our lives, but it’s important to ensure that it’s being used for good.
Interview with CNBC, 2020.
We have to be very careful about the way we use technology. It can be very helpful, but it can also be very harmful.
Interview with BBC News, 2018.
Women
Women have always played a crucial role in society, but their contributions have often been overlooked or undervalued. It’s time to change that
Speech, Women in Science Awards Ceremony, UNESCO, Paris, March 22, 2018.
Women have a responsibility to support each other and work together to achieve our goals.
Interview with Elle magazine, 2019.
The world is changing, and so are the needs and aspirations of women.
Interview with The New York Times, 2019.