The 21st Richest Woman in the World

Liliane Bettencourt – Born on October 21, 1922 in Paris, Bettencourt is a businesswoman, socialite, and French heiress. She is not only the richest woman in France and Europe but also the 21st richest person in the world. According to Forbes magazine, her estimated wealth for 2010 is twenty billion dollars.

Liliane Bettencourt is the only daughter of Eugène Schueller who gave pride to French flag by creating the world’s leading beauty and cosmetic company – L’Oréal. Bettencourt was only five years old when her mother died. She married André Bettencourt, French politician and together they lived in Neuilly-sur-Seine in France until the death of her husband. Their marriage was blessed with one daughter – Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, who at present sits as one of board directors of L’Oréal.

It was in 1957 when Bettencourt inherited the L’Oréal Company from her father, 25% of the company is owned by Liliane Bettencourt; 26.4% is owned by Nestlé; and 46.1% for public trading.

In December 2009, Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers, the daughter of Liliane Bettencourt, asked the help of a French court to put Liliane “under juridical supervision” in roder to stop her mother from giving away her fortune. According to Ms. Meyers, her mother is not in her right mind when she gave one billion euros to her photographer friend – François-Marie. However, Liliane argued that the money was given to her friend over a period of several years. Her lawyer also added that Ms. Meyers was only using the French court so she could control the fortune of her mother. On the other hand, Olivier Metzner who represents Ms. Meyers said that her client Ms. Meyers was only protecting her mother. At present, the two are not on speaking terms.