French businesswoman and author Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, aged 70, has amassed an astounding $100 billion fortune, earning her the title of the world’s richest woman. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to achieve such financial status.

Ranked as the 12th wealthiest individual globally, Françoise’s fortune surged as the value of L’Oréal SA shares hit an all-time high. The beauty company, established by her grandfather, is expected to experience its most successful year since 1998 due to the stock’s strong performance.

Before her recent financial rise and before marrying her husband, Jean-Pierre Meyers, Françoise spent her childhood as an only child. Her father, André Bettencourt, who served multiple terms in the National Assembly and held Cabinet positions four times, was often away due to his political responsibilities.

As a result, Françoise spent most of her time with her mother, Liliane Bettencourt. However, their relationship was marked by notable differences in personality. According to reports, while Françoise preferred intellectual pursuits, such as reading and playing the piano, her mother enjoyed a more sociable and luxurious lifestyle filled with grand parties and high fashion.

These contrasting dispositions created some tension between mother and daughter, although Françoise remained devoted to her mother, who passed away in September 2017 at the age of 95.

In a statement following her mother’s death, Françoise shared her grief: “My husband Jean-Pierre Meyers and our children Jean-Victor and Nicolas share an infinite sadness… My parents have not only contributed to the growth of L’Oréal but also established a charitable foundation, which I am proud to lead today.”

Despite the differences in their personalities, Françoise’s love for her mother was profound, and her loss left a deep void in her life.