L’oreal heiress and world’s richest woman passes away at the age of 94
L’oreal cosmetics heiress Liliane Bettencourt, the world’s richest woman, has died at her home in France at the age of 94.
Bettencourt’s daughter, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, said in a written statement that her mother “left peacefully” overnight.
Bettencourt Meyers said: “I would like to reiterate, on behalf of our family, our entire commitment and loyalty to L‘oreal and to renew my confidence in its President Jean-paul Agon and his teams worldwide.”
Liliane Bettencourt was the daughter of Eugene Schueller, who founded L’oreal in the early 20th century.
Forbes magazine estimated her fortune to be worth $39.5 billion (£29.09bn) this year.
L’oreal vhairman and chief executive Jean-paul Agon expressed “great admiration” for Bettencourt.
Agon said she “always looked” after the company and its employees and “she has personally contributed greatly to its success for many years”.
In1987,bettencourt,together with her husband and daughter, founded the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation (la Fondation Bettencourt Schueller) to support and develop medical, cultural and humanitarian projects. The Foundation is based in Neuilly-sur-seine, France, and funds scientific education, research and social programmes.