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Marie Besnier Beauvalot

Marie Besnier Beauvalot

M. Beauvalot
0.81% | + $86.70M
$10.81 B ₹ 98,347 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #291 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes

More on Marie Besnier Beauvalot

Gender

Female

Age

45Y

Country

France

Born On

July, 1980

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Married

Children

Unknown

Education

Unknown

Designation Info :

Self-Made

No

Entrepreneur Type

Inherited

Primary Organization

Lactalis

Titles

Shareholder

Sources of Wealth

Lactalis

Industry

Food & Beverage, Dairy, Consumer Goods

About Marie Besnier Beauvalot


M arie Besnier Beauvalot is a French heiress and a principal owner of the Lactalis Group, one of the largest dairy products corporations in the world. She, along with her two brothers, Emmanuel and Jean-Michel, inherited the privately held French company from their father, Michel Besnier. The company was founded by their grandfather, André Besnier, in 1933, and has grown from a small, artisanal cheesemaker into a global dairy behemoth.

Lactalis is famous for its vast portfolio of cheese, milk, and yogurt brands, including the iconic Président brie, as well as Galbani, Parmalat, and Stonyfield Farm. The company has grown aggressively through major acquisitions, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the global food industry. The Besnier family is notoriously secretive, rarely speaking to the media or making public appearances, earning them a reputation as the "invisible billionaires" of France. Marie is not involved in the day-to-day management of the company, which is run by her brother Emmanuel, but her ownership stake makes her one of the richest women in her country.

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Quick Reads


  • Heiress to the French dairy giant Lactalis.
  • She and her two brothers inherited the company from their father.
  • Lactalis is one of the world's largest dairy and cheese producers.
  • The company's brands include Président, Galbani, and Parmalat.
  • The Besnier family is known for being extremely private and secretive.

Early Life and Background


Marie Besnier Beauvalot is a French businesswoman, the billionaire heir and controlling shareholder of Lactalis Group, one of the largest dairy companies in the world (brands include President, Galbani, and Parmalat). Her fortune is generational, tied to the industrial empire founded by her paternal grandfather, André Besnier, in 1933.

Marie is one of the three siblings who inherited 100 percent of Lactalis from their father, Michel Besnier, who served as CEO until 2000. Her career is defined by generational stewardship and fiduciary oversight of the complex, privately held firm. The family is notoriously secretive, preferring to remain out of the public eye despite controlling a massive global food empire.

  • Lactalis Group (Controlling Shareholder): The core private asset, one of the world's largest dairy companies, specializing in milk, cheese, and yogurt (present in over 150 countries).
  • Family Governance: She and her brothers Emmanuel Besnier (CEO) and Jean-Michel Besnier own 100 percent of the company, which remains privately held.
  • Strategic Acquisitions: The family fortune grew through aggressive acquisitions, including Group Bridel, Galbani, Baer, and Parmalat (major stake).
  • Discretion: The Besnier family is known for its extreme secrecy (often referred to as the Besnier Dynasty).

Career Journey of Marie Besnier Beauvalot


Marie Besnier Beauvalot's structural role is tied to the governance and fiduciary oversight of the Lactalis Group. The company's strategic genius is its commitment to private ownership, which shields it from short-term public market pressures and allows for massive, sustained investment in expansion and brand consolidation (e.g., President Cheese). Her wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the essential global dairy and food manufacturing sector.

Her brother, Emmanuel Besnier, serves as the highly discreet CEO, managing the day-to-day operations. Marie's commitment is to the long-term strategic vision and brand preservation of the family legacy.

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Marie Besnier Beauvalot's Timeline


1933:

Her grandfather, André Besnier, founds the precursor to Lactalis Group (Founding).

2000 (approx.):

Marie and her brothers inherit 100 percent of Lactalis (Succession).

2011:

The family acquires a major stake in Parmalat (Strategic Acquisition 2).

Ongoing:

Continues as a Controlling Shareholder, guiding the global dairy giant (Executive Oversight).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


Marie Besnier Beauvalot's wealth is concentrated in her inherited stake in the private food giant, Lactalis Group.

  • Lactalis Group (Controlling Shareholder): The core private asset, one of the world's largest dairy companies (brands include President, Galbani, and Parmalat).
  • Family Governance: She and her brothers Emmanuel Besnier (CEO) and Jean-Michel Besnier own 100 percent of the company, which remains privately held.
  • Strategic Acquisitions: The family fortune grew through aggressive acquisitions, including Group Bridel, Galbani, Baer, and Parmalat (major stake).
  • Discretion: The Besnier family is known for its extreme secrecy (often referred to as the Besnier Dynasty).

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Philanthropy and Social Impact


Marie Besnier Beauvalot's social impact is structural, stemming from Lactalis Group's role as a massive global employer and provider of essential dairy and food products worldwide. The company contributes significantly to the agricultural and food processing sectors globally. Her personal philanthropy supports various cultural and educational initiatives.

Her structural contribution is tied to the successful generational transition and stable private control of one of the world's most important food manufacturing companies.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


Marie Besnier Beauvalot maintains the extremely discreet, composed style of a European industrial heiress. Her attire is professional and high-quality, favoring classic business wear. Her aesthetic reflects stability and quiet, established authority, emphasizing privacy over publicity.

Residing in Laval, Mayenne, France, her luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from her multi-billion euro fortune. Her life is dedicated to financial stewardship and the long-term, private management of her global dairy empire.

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Quotes and Philosophy


No publicly available quotes.

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • She is an heir to the Lactalis Group (President, Galbani, Parmalat) and controls 100 percent of the company with her brothers.
  • Lactalis is one of the world's largest dairy companies.
  • Her brother, Emmanuel Besnier, is the CEO and is famously reclusive.
  • The family is notorious for its extreme secrecy.
  • Her family's fortune grew through the aggressive acquisitions of European food companies.
  • Her structural wealth is tied to the long-term, stable profitability of essential global food and beverage products.
  • Her estimated net worth is $5.7 billion (2024 estimate).

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Sources & References


This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:

  • Wealth Data: Real-time tracking and historical data from Forbes Billionaires and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • Biographical Records: Educational and career history sourced from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and official university alumni directories.
  • Regulatory Filings: Shareholder and executive disclosures from stock exchange databases, including HKEX, SSE, SZSE, and SEC EDGAR.
  • Corporate History: Primary data from annual company reports, founding charters, and verified press announcements.

All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.

If you find any inaccuracies, please report them to admin@redcarpetlife.in

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