Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, L’Oréal heiress and embodiment of a fast-growing industry

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, heiress of the L'Oréal empire, recently reached a fortune of $100 billion, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. The company's shares surged by +35% in 2023, and financial analysts predict a possible increase of +12% in the next twelve months. Françoise Bettencourt, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of L'Oréal, oversees a company with a market capitalization of €241 billion (approximately $268 billion). She and her family remain the largest shareholders, holding approximately 35% of the company.

Founded in 1909 by Bettencourt Meyers' grandfather, the chemist Eugène Schueller, L'Oréal represents a significant portion of the French market, which dominates the global retail market for luxury products. This industry is marked by the strengthening of family empires such as the Bettencourts of L'Oréal, the Hermès family, and the Wertheimer brothers at the helm of Chanel. The Arnault family stands out with an estimated fortune of $179 billion, through the LVMH group.

The success of L'Oréal can be attributed mainly to its extensive global presence, allowing it to offset potential losses during national economic difficulties, such as the recent inflation in the United States or the slowdown in Asian markets. The company constantly strives to stay at the forefront of innovation in the cosmetics industry, a major asset in the face of competition. This ambition is reflected in a series of collaborations and strategic acquisitions aimed at boosting research and development of innovative formulas. Just a month ago, L'Oréal completed the acquisition of Lactobio, a Denmark-based company specializing in probiotics research, a move aimed at deepening the understanding of living microorganisms on the skin's surface.

The beauty market continues its upward trajectory, with sales forecasts expected to exceed $580 billion by 2027. The hair care segment, an area where L'Oréal excels, is experiencing significant growth. Global revenue in this sector is expected to surpass $211 billion by 2025, offering the French brand new growth opportunities.