Posted on 12/21/2008 8:52:10 PM PST by bruinbirdman
Liliane Bettencourt, the world's richest woman, announced yesterday that she would never see her daughter again as a family dispute over allegations that she had been abused by a photographer friend reached new depths.
Liliane Bettencourt
Her comments were the latest chapter in a saga that has split one of France's wealthiest dynasties amid accusations of manipulation, jealousy and greed. They came after Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers filed a lawsuit which claimed that her 86-year-old mother — the heiress to L'Oréal, the cosmetics giant — had been exploited while in frail health.
An initial investigation has found that Mrs Bettencourt gave €993million (£925 million) in cheques, property, artworks and life insurance contracts to François-Marie Banier, a 61-year-old society photographer.
Mrs Bettencourt-Meyers, 55, took court action because she feared that her mother's fortune, estimated at $23 billion, could be frittered away following the death of André Bettencourt, her father, last year.
Mrs Bettencourt dismissed her daughter's claim as “very stupid”, as she defended her mental health in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche.
“I find this whole affair completely idiotic. It's a waste of energy. It is very disagreeable and distressing,” she said. “It hurts me. I have known François-Marie Banier for 20 years, my husband knew him for 20 years. What's got into my daughter? Perhaps it's because I get on well with François-Marie Banier. Jealousy could play a part in this.”
Mrs Bettencourt went on: “I don't see my daughter any more and I don't want to see her.” She said her gifts to Mr Banier, which included paintings by Picasso, Mondrian and Matisse, were “not very big in proportion” to her wealth.
Mrs Bettencourt added that she had left her 27.5 per cent stake in L'Oréal — inherited from Eugène Schueller, her father,
(Excerpt) Read more at women.timesonline.co.uk ...
Perhaps a 100% “death tax” is not such a bad idea in old Europe?
Sounds like just another week on The Young and the Restless.
François-Marie Banier sounds like one lucky Frenchman!
Nice hair!
It does sound like he earned his reward.
She looks pretty damn good for 86! Wow - sad that she and the daughter are at odds though.
This is one instance when one could truthfully say, "She is a product of the beauty factory."
yitbos
I thought the same thing - 86 - wow! I’d be happy to just be standing upright at that age. LOL
Some of the skanks in Hollywood should see what it looks like when you age gracefully...instead of looking like a barbie that was shrinkwrapped
“Nice hair!”
Probably a wig.
Isn’t that the truth? Myself, I’m a brunette, never had any desire to be a blonde. I never discounted my friends desire to do so, that’s their choice, I have always liked myself the way I am.
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