Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the daughter of France's Liliane Bettencourt, heiress to the L'Oreal cosmetics fortune. In 2007 she filed a lawsuit against photographer Francois-Marie Banier, who befriended her mother, claiming he had charmed the heiress into parting with paintings and insurance money to the tune of $1 billion.Telegraph: L'Oreal heiress asks Sarkosy to halt inquiry... (December 18, 2008)
In July of 2010, the lawsuit took a turn from the initial thrust, as secretly recorded conversations revealed political contributions to France's Labor Minister Eric Woerth. There are additional questions concerning Mr. Woerth exerting undue influence in regard to a money manager position awarded to his wife, and the timing of an honor given to her boss by Mr. Woerth. Ms Woerth has resigned her position, and Mr. Woerth has resigned from his political fund raising, effective the end of July. President Nicolas Sarkozy is backing Woerth, and it is likely costing him popularity with the french people in the polls.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704684604575380913133159270.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703571704575340882023612748.html
Controversy
Over the past 15 years of their friendship Liliane Bettencourt gave money, paintings and insurance proceeds to Francoise-Marie Banier in an amount in excess of $1 billion. After her father's death in 2007, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers filed a lawsuit against Banier claiming he was attempting to take advantage of her mother. Friends of Meyers have indicated that she isn't seeking money, simply protection for her inheritance, fearing that her mother will "fritter it away" now that her father is deceased.Daily Mail: But is he worth it? ... (December 16, 2008)
L'Oreal Family Feud Goes Public
Three years ago this was a family feud between Liliane Bettencourt , richest woman in Europe and her only daughter, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers. What had been an attempt by the daughter to have her mother ruled incompetent has turned into much more. Secretly recorded tapes (the butler did it) indicate political contributions to Labor Minister Eric Woerth and President Sarkozy's UMP. There's more. A thirty million dollar purchase of a private island that 87 year old Liliane does not remember and the lack of tax records for same.
References
Fast Facts
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Age as of December 2008
55
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Occupation
L'Oreal Board of Directors
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Allegations against Mother
Incompetency, diminished capacity, vulnerable to abuse
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Charges against Barnier
abuse of frailty,
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Liliane Bettencourt's Wealth
$13.4 Billion
