Business Magnate. Born Liliane Henriette Charlotte Schueller, she was a heiress of the L'Oreal cosmetics fortune and at the time of her passing, considered the richest woman in the world (and in history). Her father, Eugene Schueller, was a chemist who in 1907, invented and started selling a line of synthetic hair dyes. His company, which became known as L'Oreal, soon expanded into the cosmetics line and later available for consumers in seventeen countries. She started working for her father's company at the age of 15 as an apprentice. In 1950 she married French politician Andre Bettencourt. With her father's passing in 1957, she became the largest shareholder in the company. Later the company would go on to expand its lines and acquiring other famous brands like Lancome, Helena Rubinstein, and Ralph Lauren. With these acquistions and business expansion, her wealth grew and she became one of the richest women in the world. In 1987, her family created the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, a charity organization dedicated to humanitarian, medical, and cultural initiatives. In 1995 she became a member of L'Oreal's board of directors. In 2007, she became involved in a high profile scandal as her daughter sued a photographer who she thought was taking advantage of her fraility. In 2010 the scandal ended when both mother and daughter reconciled. She was later placed under the legal guardianship of her family. A political scandal involving her and several French politicians broke out in 2010 and an investigation was opened in 2013. Her estimated worth at the time of her passing was $39.5 billion dollars.
Business Magnate. Born Liliane Henriette Charlotte Schueller, she was a heiress of the L'Oreal cosmetics fortune and at the time of her passing, considered the richest woman in the world (and in history). Her father, Eugene Schueller, was a chemist who in 1907, invented and started selling a line of synthetic hair dyes. His company, which became known as L'Oreal, soon expanded into the cosmetics line and later available for consumers in seventeen countries. She started working for her father's company at the age of 15 as an apprentice. In 1950 she married French politician Andre Bettencourt. With her father's passing in 1957, she became the largest shareholder in the company. Later the company would go on to expand its lines and acquiring other famous brands like Lancome, Helena Rubinstein, and Ralph Lauren. With these acquistions and business expansion, her wealth grew and she became one of the richest women in the world. In 1987, her family created the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, a charity organization dedicated to humanitarian, medical, and cultural initiatives. In 1995 she became a member of L'Oreal's board of directors. In 2007, she became involved in a high profile scandal as her daughter sued a photographer who she thought was taking advantage of her fraility. In 2010 the scandal ended when both mother and daughter reconciled. She was later placed under the legal guardianship of her family. A political scandal involving her and several French politicians broke out in 2010 and an investigation was opened in 2013. Her estimated worth at the time of her passing was $39.5 billion dollars.
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Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye