Biography of Liliane Betancourt. "One of the last great ladies of Paris Liliane Betancourt passed away

L'Oreal co-owner Liliane Bettencourt was ranked 14th in the Forbes ranking of the richest people in the world. Bettencourt owned 33 percent of cosmetics giant L'Oréal, founded by her father, French chemist Eugène Schullet, in 1909, Reuters reported. She was 94 years old.

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Liliane Bettencourt joined the company as an apprentice in 1937 at the age of 15. Twenty years later, in 1957, Bettencourt inherited LʼOréal and became the main shareholder of the company. In 1974, she exchanged almost half of her stake in the company for three percent of Nestlé shares.

In 2007, the billionaire gave one of her friends, Francois-Marie Bagnier, 1.3 billion euros. In this regard, a serious scandal erupted. Lillian's daughter, through the court, demanded that Lillian be recognized as feeble-minded; she accused Banier of exploiting her mother's physical or psychological weakness for personal gain. The case was not considered quickly, but in 2011 the court transferred custody of Bettencourt to her daughter and two grandchildren, who began to manage the state of their mother and grandmother. In 2012, one of her grandchildren took Lillian's seat on the cosmetics company's board of directors.

Liliane lived in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Liliane's husband André Bettencourt died in 2007.

Jean-Paul Agon, chief executive of L'Oreal, noted the significant contribution that Bettencourt personally made to the success of the company. "She is a woman of great beauty who left us and whom we will never forget," he said. "We all admired Liliane Bettencourt, who always cared about L'Oreal, the company and its employees and was very attached to its success and development, according to the Financial Times.

After Bettencourt's death, Alice Walton, the daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, became the richest woman in the world, according to Forbes. Her fortune is estimated at 33.8 billion dollars.

The billions of which the L "Oreal empire brought, inherited the company from his father. It was he, Eugene Scheler, a chemist by education, who invented a new hair dye formula in 1907, which was called Oréale. And it was he who founded the L "Oreal company in 1909, which at first produced hair products, and by the beginning of the 21st century has grown into a giant corporation, which includes the world's leading brands, including luxury ones.

Lillian Scheler's mother died when she was five years old - she grew up with her father, who later married her English governess, and was very close to him. From the age of 15, that is, from 1937, she helped him in his work, sticking labels on cosmetic bottles and mixing cosmetic products.

While Lillian comprehended the skill of her father, Eugene Scheler himself actively participated in the activities of the fascist group La Cagoule,

operating in France from 1935 to 1941, supported it with money and organized meetings at the headquarters of his own company.

In 1950, Liliane married André Bettencourt, a politician who held positions in the French government in the 60s and 70s. In his youth, he also participated in the activities of La Cagoule, but later this did not prevent him from receiving the Order of the Legion of Honor and the Military Cross, and indeed being awarded for bravery while participating in the French Resistance. After graduating from a political career, he joined the board of directors of L "Oreal.

In 1953, Liliane Bettencourt gave birth to a daughter, Francoise. In 1957, she lost her father and inherited his cosmetics empire. And after another 50 years of successful deals, purchases of Nestle shares and so on, she became the main heroine of European tabloids, since her name was involved in a whole series of scandals.

In 2007, her husband, André Bettencourt, died, and their daughter Françoise began to deal with a problem that had been swept under the carpet for a long time. That problem was her mother's best friend, an eccentric photographer, artist, socialite named François-Marie Banier, whom Liliane Bettencourt befriended in 1987 - he photographed her for the French magazine Egoiste.

Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers accused Bagnier of using her mother's weakening mental abilities - Liliane Bettencourt had suffered from Alzheimer's and dementia since 2006 - to force her to give him gifts and support her financially.

In total, she spent about a billion euros on him - she paid life insurance for him and bought works of art for the artist, among which were works by Fernand Léger, and in addition, she regularly provided him with money. According to , the attendants of her late Art Deco mansion in Neuilly-sur-Seine whispered in horror, discussing how Francois-Marie Bagnier

allowed himself to pee in the flower beds, lie in Lillian's bed with his boots on, and regularly demand money.

François-Marie Bagne, of course, denied the allegations. However, he was sentenced in 2015 to three years in prison, a €350,000 fine and €158 million in damages.

In 2010, another "Bettencourt case" was developed, connected with a corruption scandal in the French government. Then Eric Werth, at that time - the Minister of Social Affairs of France - was accused of illegally accepting money from Liliane Bettencourt to support the party and its president Nicolas.

In fact, the head of L "Oreal was accused of illegally financing Sarkozy's election campaign - and the last two years of his reign, until 2012, were overshadowed by these suspicions.

After the politician lost the 2012 elections, an investigation was opened against him, but in 2013 the case was closed due to lack of evidence.

The last years of Liliane Bettencourt's life were an endless series of scandals, which, however, did not affect the position of her empire. The fact that Lilian is unable to take care of her own affairs due to dementia and Alzheimer's disease was only recognized in 2011, when it was announced after a medical examination.

She left the board of directors of L "Oreal only in 2012. On September 21, 2017, Liliane Bettencourt peacefully passed away at the age of 94.

Liliane Betancourt is the richest woman in the world, who personally proved by her example that every woman can succeed in everything: both in her career and in her personal life. Her work always becomes the center of attention. And all because she is a socialite, a recognized philanthropist and a fairly successful business woman. It was she who allowed L’Oreal to flourish and gave her the slogan recognizable all over the world - because you deserve it!

The future billionaire was born on October 21, 1922. Her parents were very wealthy people. Father, Eugene Schueller, had a subtle entrepreneurial flair. Being a brilliant scientist and chemist-technologist, he founded the cosmetics company L'Oreal, recognizable by all. It was he who in 1909 became the first to invent hair dye. And this step was a breakthrough in society's idea of \u200b\u200bfemale beauty. The new product sold out at lightning speed. Inspired by victory, Eugene decided to produce soap. But this decision was not immediately marked by success. And all because the French at the beginning of the twentieth century rarely used hygiene products, they even washed their hair with soap shavings. Therefore, the idea with soap from entrepreneur Schueller was received ambiguously.

All this revolted the genius. He decided to create a series of radio shows to make people aware of the need for cosmetics for health. It was the right marketing move, and the product began to sell. Eugene's next invention was shampoo, which also proved to be a popular product with consumers.

Little Lillian was not yet part of her father's business life, but showed some interest in his inventions. This did not last long. The girl, at the age of 5, had to leave for the Dominican Republic. This decision was made by the father, trying to protect the baby from a terrible shock - the death of mother Louise (1926). Far from home, Lillian was not only reeling from shock. In the Dominican Republic, she managed to get an excellent education.

Lilian returned home at the age of 15. And almost immediately she began to work in the company, obeying the will of her father. Eugene firmly decided that it was Lillian who was obliged to continue the work of his life.

Interesting fact. Lillian was never interested in chemistry and cosmetology. She was interested in cinema, with which she most likely connected her life, if by the will of fate she had not inherited all her father's property.

The first job that Eugene entrusted to his daughter was gluing labels on cosmetic bottles.

But the rather measured life of the Schueller family was interrupted by the war. It was at that time that Lillian's health failed, she fell ill with tuberculosis, and her father sent her to Switzerland for treatment. Here the girl met with a man who was a member of the fascist group La Cagoule. His name was Andre Betancourt, and later he became her husband.

Interesting fact. La Cagoule was sponsored by Lillian's father. And later, after the war, Lillian's husband was persecuted. Because of this, the whole family had to hide in the Schueller family mansion (Paris). At this time, the Betancourts had a daughter, Francoise (1953).

Lilian's Inheritance

After the death of her father, thirty-five-year-old Lillian had to become the main shareholder of L'Oreal (1957). Even then, the company was flourishing. Her goods were bought not only in France, but throughout Europe. Cosmetics were sold even in the USA. And the only disadvantage of such activities seemed to Lilian the lack of a product for young women. After all, then L’Oreal offered goods only to women in their 30s and 40s.

Therefore, Betancourt began to actively expand the boundaries of the company. At first, she started buying up famous cosmetic brands. And she released a popular line for young people called Maybelline. These actions were quite successful and L'Oreal became the world's largest manufacturer of cosmetics and perfumes.

Considering that marketing is the key to successful sales, Bettencourt soon began a landmark collaboration with the advertising agency McCann Erickson (1967). The specialists of this company developed a marketing policy for the L'Oreal concern, according to which only world-famous cosmetic brands should advertise the products of the cosmetic brand. stars of cinema and show business. Thanks to McCann Erickson, who came up with the slogan for L'Oreal, the company is now recognized all over the world - "Because you deserve it."

Interesting fact! Having started doing business, Lillian has repeatedly admitted that she is grateful to her father for the knowledge and life experience, thanks to which she realized that success and fame do not come in vain. All this needs to be earned by making important decisions, taking risky steps in order to promote and develop the business.

The Golden Age of Betancourt

In 1974, Lillian made another successful move - she began cooperation with the Nestle concern. The first step in this direction was the sale of half of the shares of the L'Oreal brand to new partners. In return, she acquired a 5% stake in Nestle. The purchase was a winning one for Betancourt. Thanks to this, she managed to become the largest private shareholder of this company.

Interesting fact. Nestle in the 80s of the twentieth century planned to completely control the profits and votes of L'Oreal, but Lillian managed to renegotiate the agreement, according to which, until the end of her life, Nestle had the right to increase its share of ownership in the cosmetics company.

Despite the fact that Lillian was no longer the only owner of her father's company, she actively continued to achieve the prosperity of the company. To that end, she launched L'Oreal into four important cosmetics segments:

high-quality decorative cosmetics;
skin care products;
hair care products;
sales of exclusive perfumery products.

Lilian's success lies in the fact that 47 L'Oreal factories were opened in 22 countries around the world. Thanks to her, the company began to work with all distribution channels: perfume shops, professional beauty salons, supermarkets, pharmacies, postal catalogs, the World Wide Web.

Forbes rating

Liliane Betancourt has been one of the three richest women in France for many decades and is in the TOP-20 of the richest people in the world:

in 2011-2012, she got the fifteenth position in the Forbes rating;
in 2013, she managed to increase her net worth and climb to 9th place;
in 2014, her capital increased again, but not so significantly compared to competitors, so Betancourt dropped to 11th place in the ranking;
in 2015, she took the 10th position. Her personal net worth was over $40 billion;
in 2016, Lilian's capital decreased slightly, and therefore her rating position became one step lower;
in 2017, the fortune of a wealthy entrepreneur decreased again, so today she is ranked 14th in the Forbes ranking.

Despite the fact that Betancourt is not included in the list of leaders in the ranking of the famous publication, she was recognized as the most influential woman in the world.

Family life

The husband of a successful business woman, André Betancourt, after long persecution, held many high positions: he was the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Industry of France, Culture and Art, and even the Minister of Foreign Affairs. At the same time, he was the vice chairman of L'Oreal.

In 2007, he passed away, and this event was a real blow for Lillian. But the publicity of a business woman did not allow her to go through grief calmly, and she became the victim of many unpleasant gossip. There were rumors that Liliane, long before Andre's death, had a lover - the photographer Francois-Marie Bagne. It was rumored that she was incredibly generous to him: she presented expensive gifts, bought life insurance policies and simply gave out pocket money in fabulous sums - billions.

Fearing that Lillian would make this photographer the heir to all property, her daughter Françoise turned to the national police with a request to investigate, accusing her mother of insanity.

Interesting fact. Françoise and Liliane were in long legal proceedings with each other over the inheritance. Either the daughter or the mother filed various lawsuits against each other with allegations of mental instability or violence. But as a result of all these proceedings, they managed to come to reconciliation.

Activities in recent years

In 2011, a successful business woman became very ill. She was stricken with Alzheimer's disease. Because of this, in 2012, she had to leave the board of directors of L'Oreal. She was succeeded by her grandson Jean-Victor Meyers, and the right to inherit the L'Oreal beauty empire went to her daughter Francoise.

Despite her incapacity in business activities, 94-year-old Betancourt continues to lead an active lifestyle. She sold her properties in the Seychelles worth $60 million and is engaged in charitable work.

On September 21, 2017, relatives reported that Liliane Bettencourt died at the age of 94, until the last days of her life she remained the richest woman in the world.

Charity

Back at the end of the 20th century (1987), Liliane Betancourt and her husband founded the Betancourt-Schueller Foundation charitable project. Here they invested money (at least 160 million euros annually) to support medical, cultural and humanitarian programs:

55% of L'Oreal's profits are spent each year on research and education. The winners of various grants annually receive 250,000 euros for the development of their projects;
33% - for humanitarian and social projects, in particular for events dedicated to the fight against AIDS;
12% - for culture and art. Recently, thanks to the Bettencourt-Schueller Foundation, a wing of the Marmottan-Monnet Museum has been restored.

Interesting fact. In 2010, Liliane Betancourt was accused of allegedly sponsoring the campaign program of presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy. There was a long discussion about this.

The life of Liliane Betancourt is riddled with scandals, gossip and intrigue. She was accused of many acts not only by political officials, but also by members of her own family. At the same time, Lillian managed to retain the status of one of the richest and most influential women on the planet, whom you want to admire.

France: Betancourt photographer and property manager sentenced to real prison terms.

The world's richest woman and L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt passed away on September 21 at the age of 94. Her daughter, Françoise Bettencourt Myers, said in a statement that her mother "passed away quietly and calmly" at her Parisian home.

Liliane Bettencourt was a major shareholder in cosmetics giant L'Oreal and was ranked 14th richest person in the world according to Forbes magazine. In March 2017, her fortune was estimated at 29.1 billion euros. Since 2012, Bettencourt has ceased to appear in public, but her name constantly appeared in the headlines in connection with a lawsuit with a family that demanded that she be declared incapacitated due to senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Liliane Bettencourt with her daughter, 2011

Liliane Bettencourt was born in Paris in 1922 to Eugène Schüller, founder of the cosmetics company L'Oreal, and Louise Madeleine Bert, who died when the girl was five years old. At the age of 15, Lillian got a job with her father in the company, sticking labels on shampoo.

In 1950, she married André Bettencourt, a French politician and future minister under the government of Charles de Gaulle. The couple lived together for 57 years, their only daughter, Francoise Bettencourt, was born to them. For many years, the couple could not get rid of the accusations of supporting the Nazis. Lillian was a member of the pro-fascist Cagular organization, which was financed by her father, and her husband wrote several anti-Semitic articles. However, towards the end of the war, André Bettencourt had joined the French Resistance and subsequently regretted writing the articles.

1988

Lilian inherited the company after her father's death in 1957 and has been involved with L'Oreal for over 50 years. François Dahl was appointed CEO and breathed new life into the company and created the brand we know today.

year 2001.

In 1987, together with her daughter and husband Liliane, she founded the Bettencourt Schüller Foundation, whose goal is to help develop humanitarian, medical and cultural projects.

1970s.

Throughout her career at L'Oreal, her position was subjected to relentless criticism, and in 2007 Bettencourt was awarded the Black Planet Award, the anti-award of the German organization Ethecon Foundation, which is given to those who harm the planet.

Liliane Bettencourt regularly became the richest man in France and for many years was the richest woman in the world. Her life has always been saturated with the smell of money and politics with an admixture of scandal.

The heiress was closely associated with at least three French presidents, her name almost never left the pages of gossip. For most of her life, Bettencourt was famous for her name, but not for her actions, although she worked in her father's company from the age of 15, starting as an intern.

After the death of Liliane's husband, André Bettencourt, in 2007, Françoise Bettencourt Myers, her only daughter, went to court, accusing the photographer François-Marie Bagnier of taking advantage of the mother's fortune, who, during their friendship since 1987, gave him gifts in the amount of 1.3 billion euros. These gifts included, among others, a €253 million life insurance policy in 2003 and another €262 million policy in 2006, 11 works of art worth €20 million, including paintings by Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian, Delaunay and Léger, photograph of surrealist Man Ray and cash. Banier denies all allegations.

The scandal got a new round in 2008, when the daughter gave the police recordings of conversations between her mother and the manager. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy also came under suspicion for taking advantage of Bettencourt's failing mental health and receiving campaign funding in 2007.

With husband, 1972

In October 2011, a court ruled that Liliane Bettencourt was suffering from dementia (senile dementia) and gave her daughter control of her mother's health and income (about 17 billion euros and 33 percent of L'Oreal shares).

1970s.

From left to right in the front row at the 1979 Chanel show, Claude Pompidou, Bernadette Chirac - the wife of then mayor Jacques Chirac, Liliane Bettencourt and Eva Barr, wife of the French Prime Minister in 1976-1981.

With Greek opera singer Maria Callas in 1968.

Bettencourt house in Neuilly-sur-Seine.