Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the French heiress to the L’Oréal cosmetics empire, has seen her net worth rise by $4.2 billion in a single day bringing her total fortune to a staggering $93.8 billion as of July 31, 2025, according to Forbes’ real-time billionaire tracker. This places her at No. 20 on the list of the world’s richest individuals and solidifies her position as the wealthiest woman on the planet.
The surge in wealth was fueled by renewed investor confidence in L’Oréal, whose shares rallied following bullish forecasts and a key rating upgrade from global investment bank JPMorgan.
Strong Market Sentiment Powers L’Oréal Gains
L’Oréal’s recent stock performance reflects growing optimism surrounding the global beauty industry. JPMorgan upgraded the cosmetics giant’s rating from “Underweight” to “Neutral” and significantly raised its 12-month price target from €290 to €360. The bank cited improving U.S. market dynamics, stronger sales projections for the second half of 2025, and renewed consumer demand for skincare and luxury beauty products.
The firm now expects L’Oréal’s second-half growth to reach 4.7%, up from a previous estimate of 4.0%, according to a note shared with Bloomberg. This optimism comes despite mixed sentiment across financial institutions. While JPMorgan is now more positive, Barclays recently downgraded L’Oréal to “Underweight,” arguing that the brand’s historical outperformance in the beauty space has cooled slightly. Still, RBC Capital Markets continues to name L’Oréal among its top picks in the consumer staples sector, alongside global brands like AB InBev.
According to InvestingPro, L’Oréal maintains a healthy gross profit margin of 74.2% and boasts a “GREAT” financial health score. The company has delivered 34 consecutive years of dividend payments, including a nearly 20% increase in shareholder payouts over the past year adding to its appeal among long-term investors.
Strategic Moves: Acquisition of Medik8
In a bid to strengthen its Luxe division, L’Oréal recently confirmed plans to acquire a majority stake in Medik8, a British skincare brand known for its science-backed formulations and accessible luxury positioning. The acquisition is seen as a strategic move to tap into the rapidly growing premium skincare segment, especially among younger, ingredient-conscious consumers.
Industry observers suggest the move aligns with L’Oréal’s broader strategy to diversify its product portfolio while maintaining leadership in innovation and sustainability.
“Medik8 offers both brand credibility and digital agility. It’s exactly the kind of mid-premium disruptor L’Oréal wants in its Luxe pipeline,” said beauty industry analyst, Juliette Granier, in an interview with Le Monde Économie.
A Legacy in Transition
Bettencourt Meyers, 71, is the granddaughter of Eugène Schueller, the founder of L’Oréal. She has been a member of the company’s board since 1997 but announced earlier this year that she would step down by the end of 2025, marking the close of a 28-year chapter as a key figure in the business.
Her transition away from active board responsibilities coincides with her increasing focus on philanthropy. As president of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, she has championed causes spanning science, arts, and humanitarian development. In one of the foundation’s most visible acts, she helped orchestrate a joint $226 million pledge with L’Oréal in 2019 toward the restoration of the Notre-Dame Cathedral following its catastrophic fire.
“Françoise has always represented a rare combination of legacy and forward-thinking stewardship,” said corporate governance expert Jacques Lemaitre, in a comment to Reuters. “Her departure marks the end of an era but L’Oréal’s structure remains strong, with a solid family presence and experienced management.”
The World’s Wealthiest Woman
Bettencourt Meyers inherited her wealth in 2017 following the death of her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who was, at the time, the world’s richest woman. The Bettencourt family still owns over 33% of L’Oréal’s publicly traded shares, a position that ensures both influence and long-term stability.
As global markets continue to evolve, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers’ fortune stands not only as a measure of financial success but also as a reflection of the enduring strength of legacy businesses that are able to adapt, innovate, and stay relevant through changing times.
