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Francoise Bettencourt Meyers Steps Down from L’Oréal Board, Son Jean-Victor to Succeed Her

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress to L’Oréal and Europe’s richest woman, is stepping down from the company’s board after nearly three decades. She will pass the vice-chairmanship to her son, Jean-Victor Meyers, while Alexandre Benais, deputy CEO of Téthys Invest, will take her seat on the board. The changes, announced alongside L’Oréal’s fourth-quarter earnings report, will take effect following a shareholder vote in April.

A Legacy at L’Oréal

Bettencourt Meyers, 71, has been a board member since 1997 and vice-chair since 2020. As the granddaughter of L’Oréal’s founder, she inherited a 35% stake in the company in 2017, following the passing of her mother, Liliane Bettencourt—once the world’s richest woman.

Beyond business, she is an author and philanthropist, known for her five-volume study of the Bible and a genealogy of Greek gods. She also leads her family’s foundation, which funds advancements in science and the arts.

A Fortune Built On Beauty

Bettencourt Meyers ranks as the world’s second-richest woman, with a net worth of $76.1 billion, trailing only Alice Walton of Walmart.

Her family has played a pivotal role in France’s cultural heritage, notably donating $226 million to restore Notre Dame Cathedral after its devastating 2019 fire.

As she steps back, the next generation is set to take over—a dynasty in transition, but still firmly in control of one of the world’s most powerful beauty empires.

EU Farm Output Prices Decline For The First Time In Nine Months

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

EU Market Adjustments Signal New Price Trends

Agricultural output prices across the European Union declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a shift after several quarters of increases. Data from Eurostat shows that farm gate prices fell by 1.9% compared with the same period in 2024.

Crisis of Declining Prices In Select Markets

Cyprus recorded one of the more notable decreases in agricultural input costs among EU member states, with prices falling by 2.6% compared with Q4 2024. The reduction eased cost pressures for the local agricultural sector following periods of higher prices earlier in 2025. Across the EU, prices for goods and services consumed in agriculture remained relatively stable. Non-investment inputs such as energy, fertilisers and feedingstuffs showed limited overall changes during the quarter.

Country-Specific Divergence In Price Movements

Eurostat data highlights considerable variation across member states. Fifteen EU countries recorded declines in agricultural output prices. Belgium registered the largest decrease at 12.9%, followed by Lithuania (8.2%) and Germany (6.0%). At the same time, twelve countries reported increases in output prices. Ireland recorded the strongest rise at 6.8%, followed by Slovenia (5.6%) and Malta (4.2%).

Stability In Agricultural Inputs Amid Commodity Shifts

Agricultural input prices also showed mixed developments. Eleven member states recorded declines, including Cyprus (2.6%), Belgium (2.1%) and Sweden (2.0%). Other countries experienced moderate increases, including Lithuania (4.2%), Ireland (3.3%) and Romania (2.5%). Among major agricultural commodities, milk prices declined by 4.1% while cereal prices fell by 8.9% across the EU. In contrast, fertilisers and soil improvers increased by 7.9%, reflecting continued volatility in input markets.

Outlook For EU Agriculture

The latest Eurostat data points to uneven price developments across the EU agricultural sector. While input prices remained broadly stable in many markets, movements in output prices varied significantly between member states. These trends highlight the need for farmers and policymakers to adapt to shifting commodity prices and changing cost structures across the European agricultural market.

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