Who Is the Richest Woman on Earth Right Now
The richest woman on Earth is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, chairwoman of L'Oreal, with a net worth of approximately $74 billion as of the latest Forbes real-time billionaires list. She inherited her stake from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, and has expanded the L'Oreal portfolio through strategic acquisitions and strong share performance. Her wealth is tied directly to the L'Oreal share price, which has remained resilient despite broader market volatility.
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers has maintained the top position among women globally, surpassing MacKenzie Scott and Alice Walton in recent rankings. The L'Oreal group remains one of the largest beauty and cosmetics companies in the world, with brands including Lancome, Maybelline, Garnier, and NYX. Her personal involvement in the company's governance and her long-term shareholding strategy have helped sustain her lead in the global wealth rankings.
How She Built and Manages Her Fortune
L'Oreal Ownership and Business Strategy
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers controls a substantial block of L'Oreal shares through the Bettencourt family holding structure, with the company founded by her grandfather Eugene Schueller in 1909. L'Oreal has grown through decades of innovation in hair color, skin care, and cosmetics, and now operates in over 150 countries. The company's consistent dividend policy and share buybacks have helped preserve and grow the family's stake over generations.
The Bettencourt family's stake in L'Oreal is managed with a long-term perspective, avoiding major disruptive changes in corporate strategy. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers has focused on maintaining the company's research-driven model and expanding into high-growth prestige and active cosmetics segments. This steady approach has insulated the family's wealth from the sharp swings that have affected more speculative or founder-led businesses.
Global Billionaire Rankings and Comparisons
Where She Stands Among the World's Wealthiest
In the Forbes real-time billionaires tracker, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers consistently ranks among the top 10 wealthiest individuals on the planet, and remains the richest woman on Earth. She holds more wealth than MacKenzie Scott, whose fortune is largely tied to Amazon stock, and Alice Walton, whose wealth comes from Walmart shares.
The global billionaire landscape has shifted in recent years due to changes in tech stock valuations, interest rates, and private market activity. Despite these fluctuations, the Bettencourt family's concentrated stake in L'Oreal has kept Francoise Bettencourt Meyers at the top of the women's wealth rankings. Her position reflects the enduring value of a controlling share in a globally recognized consumer brand with strong recurring revenue streams. Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List