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Bettencourt-Meyers

Ownership and control in French family businesses

December 8, 2010

Two of France’s largest and most famed family businesses, Hermes and L’Oreal, have taken steps this week to bolster family control and reaffirm the family’s commitment to the company. But the question remains as to whether this is enough to ensure continued family ownership.

Two of France's largest and most famed family businesses, Hermes and L'Oreal, have taken steps this week to bolster family control and reaffirm the family's commitment to the company. But the question remains as to whether this is enough to ensure continued family ownership, writes Katie Barker.

Hermes moved first with its family members setting up a holding company in an attempt to fend off unwelcome advances from much larger rival LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

Bettencourt personally questioned over accusations

July 27, 2010

Liliane Bettencourt, L’Oreal heiress and France’s richest woman, was questioned on Monday by French police as part of an ongoing investigation into her finances.

Liliane Bettencourt, L'Oreal heiress and France's richest woman, was questioned on Monday by French police as part of an ongoing investigation into her finances.

Bettencourt (pictured) was being questioned as a witness in an investigation into tax evasion and apparent illegal donations given to the French government by the heiress.

Comment: Why family feuds aren't always bad for business

July 19, 2010

On the surface family feuds don’t look so good for business. They mean decisions are often put off as family energies get diverted to emotional disputes, not the running of the company, writes David Bain

On the surface family feuds don't look so good for business. They mean decisions are often put off as family energies get diverted to emotional disputes between members, not the running of the company, writes David Bain.

The Bettencourt affair: can other families avoid a similar scandal?

July 14, 2010

Octogenarian L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt has dominated the headlines this week as a string of allegations have emerged about her financial affairs, writes Katie Barker.

Octogenarian L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt has dominated the headlines this week as a string of allegations have emerged about her financial affairs, writes Katie Barker.

New twist in L'Oreal case sees heiress vow to declare assets

June 22, 2010

Lilian Bettencourt, L’Oreal heiress and France’s richest woman, has said she will declare her overseas assets after she was caught on tape discussing apparently undisclosed holdings with an advisor.

Liliane Bettencourt, L'Oreal heiress and France's richest woman, said on Monday that she will declare her overseas assets after she was caught on tape discussing apparently undisclosed holdings with an advisor.

"I have decided to declare all of my family assets that are currently abroad in cooperation with the French tax authorities," said 87-year-old Bettencourt (pictured) in a statement.

Bettencourt family denies plan to sell L'Oreal stake to Nestle

March 4, 2010

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the daughter of L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, has denied the family is looking to sell its 31% stake in the company to Switzerland-based food giant Nestle.

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the daughter of L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt (pictured), has denied the family is looking to sell its 31% stake in the company to Switzerland-based food giant Nestle.

Daughter wins latest battle in L'Oreal family feud

December 14, 2009

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, daughter of L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, won the right prosecute the man she claims exploited her mother for just under €1 billion.

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, daughter of L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, won the right prosecute the man she claims exploited her mother for just under €1 billion.

In a criminal court ruling heard in Paris on Friday, Bettencourt Meyers won the right to a trial against Francois-Marie Banier, a close friend of the her mother, to determine if Banier took advantage of 87-year-old Bettencourt's "mental frailty".

Feud splitting L'Oreal dynasty

September 4, 2009

A bitter family feud that threatens to split one of Europe’s wealthiest family dynasties, the owners of L’Oreal, will go to court after a ruling in France yesterday

A bitter family feud that threatens to split one of Europe's wealthiest family dynasties, the owners of L'Oreal, will go to court after a ruling in France yesterday.

The case will call into question the mental health of Liliane Bettencourt (pictured), the 86-year-old daughter of the founder and head of the family. It has been brought to court by Bettencourt's daughter, Francoise Bettencourt-Myers, who claims a close confident of her mother's exploited the 86-year-old for just under €1 billion.