Richest woman in the world makes history with unbelievable fortune
The richest woman in the world has passed a milestone never before crossed by any other woman.
In case you didn't know the richest woman in the world is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of L'Oreal founder Eugène Schueller.
Holding a 33 percent stake in the family business, it turns out hanging onto that has been the key to a life of fortune and luxury for the 70-year-old.
Since everyone keeps buying their shampoos and other products, it's made her fortune increase further, and she inherited her mother's fortune when she died in 2017 as well.
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At the beginning of this year her personal net worth was somewhere in the region of $80 billion (£62 billion), but by November it had grown to $92.1 billion (£72 billion) and now it's risen to record breaking heights.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers has since seen her fortune hit a whopping $100 billion (£78 billion).
That puts her at number 12 on the overall rich list and the top woman there, while it's also the first time ever a woman's fortune has hit the $100 billion milestone.
If her fortune keeps growing then she could rise higher up the list, though she'd have to make quite a lot of money to reach the very top where Elon Musk sits.
Immediately above Bettencourt Meyers in 11th place is Mexican businessman Carlos Slim on $104 billion (£81 billion), while the next two places are occupied by Sergey Brin and Warren Buffet both on $120 billion (£94 billion).
Catching up to this lot might be a tall order, however, as while the L'Oreal heiress has built up one hell of a fortune which is growing plenty, so too is everyone else's net worth.
Part of the reason Bettencourt Meyers has done so well this year is because sales of L'Oreal have surged in popularity.
For whatever reason their sales have grown quite significantly, which means a bigger pile of cash coming the way of the people who actually own the business.
The next richest woman in the world behind her is Walmart heiress Alice Walton, whose net worth is estimated to be $70 billion (£55 billion).
She's at number 19 on the rich list, immediately behind family members Jim and Rob Walton.
It turns out one of the best ways to become incredibly wealthy is to have a relative set up one of the world's most successful businesses and for you to inherit that cash cow.
Who knew?
Topics: Money, Celebrity Net Worth
Joe Harker