L'Oréal is primarily owned by the Bettencourt Meyers family, through their holding company Téthys SAS, and through direct ownership by Françoise Bettencourt Meyers. As a publicly traded company, the remaining shares are held by various institutional investors and individual shareholders worldwide.
Understanding L'Oréal's Ownership Structure
L'Oréal, a global leader in cosmetics, has a unique ownership structure that combines significant family control with widespread public trading. The heritage of the company remains closely tied to its founding family, ensuring a strong sense of continuity and strategic direction.
Key Shareholders of L'Oréal
The dominant shareholders of L'Oréal are the descendants of its founder. As of data from late 2022, the ownership distribution highlights the family's prominent stake:
| Shareholder | Shares Held (as of December 31, 2022) | Controlling Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Téthys SAS | 152,514,292 | Controlled by Ms. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and her family |
| Ms. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers (direct ownership) | 33,182,455 | Direct individual ownership |
| Mr. Jean-Pierre | 15,332 | Direct individual ownership |
| Public Shareholders | Remaining majority | Diverse institutional and individual investors |
This structure means that while L'Oréal is listed on the stock exchange and its shares can be bought and sold by the public, the Bettencourt Meyers family retains a substantial and controlling interest, influencing key decisions and the long-term vision of the company. Their combined holdings ensure they remain the largest and most influential shareholders.
The Influence of the Bettencourt Meyers Family
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of L'Oréal founder Eugène Schueller, and her family, exert significant influence over the company through their majority stake. This family control helps to maintain the company's core values and strategic direction over generations. Despite being a publicly traded entity, the family's substantial ownership stake underpins the stability and long-term planning of L'Oréal.
Public Ownership and Market Presence
Beyond the family's holdings, a significant portion of L'Oréal's shares are publicly traded on the Euronext Paris exchange. This allows for a broad base of institutional investors (such as mutual funds, pension funds, and investment firms) and individual shareholders to own a part of the company. This blend of strong family stewardship and public market participation contributes to L'Oréal's robust market presence and governance model.
