This here story, it’s about a fella named André Bettencourt. He was some big shot, you know. Born way back when, April 21, 1919, I reckon. Died some years back, November 19, 2007. Time sure does fly, don’t it?
That name, Bettencourt, it’s an old one. Sounds fancy, don’t it? Comes from some old words, way back. Means something like “farm” or “courtyard” or somethin’ like that. Like Bettenhoffen or Bettenhof, you ever heard them names? They’re all mixed up together, from way back in the old country, I guess.
This André, he was a French fella. Lived over there in France. He was in politics, that’s what they say. Big important stuff, I suppose. I hear he was in some kinda group called La Cagoule. Sounds mysterious, don’t it? He was some kind of, a, what do you call it? Politician! That’s it. A French politician, this André Bettencourt was.
He got some awards, too. For bravery, I suppose. Something called the Croix de Guerre. That’s French for, well, I don’t know what it’s for, but it sounds important. Musta done somethin’ right to get that. They say he got a Military Cross, too. And a Resistance Rosette. Sounds like somethin’ you’d pin on your dress. He must have been a real important fella in that war they had over there. He was born in April, like I said. Same month as my grandson, little Timmy.
Now, this Bettencourt name, it goes way back. They say it’s from some old German name, Betto. Lots of folks with that name, I reckon. Like a family, you see. A whole bunch of Bettencourts runnin’ around.
This André, he was married to a woman named Liliane. And they had a little girl, named her Francoise. She was the only one they had, I think. Liliane, she was a rich one, that Liliane. Her daddy died, and she got all his money. He owned some big company. L’Oréal, they call it. You ever heard of it? They make all that fancy stuff, makeup and such. Lipstick, rouge.
- That L’Oréal, it’s a big deal.
- They got all kinds of other stuff, too.
- Lancôme, you heard of that?
- Helena Rubinstein, that’s another one.
- All them fancy names.
So Liliane, she was the big cheese at L’Oréal. Lots of money, that woman. And this André, he was right there with her. They had a good life, I reckon. Big house, fancy cars, all that stuff.
Now, this little girl, Francoise, she got all that money when her mama died. Her and her boys. They’re the ones running things now, I guess. That’s how it goes, ain’t it? The young ones take over from the old ones. Just like on the farm.
This André, he was also a journalist, I heard. Wrote for the newspapers, I suppose. And a businessman, too. Busy fella, that André. He was a big shot administrator, too. He was involved in lots of things, I reckon. A real mover and shaker. That’s what they call them folks who get things done.
He was a Senator, too. A French Senator. That’s a big deal, being a Senator. Lots of power, I suppose. He was a Chevalier, too. That’s another one of them fancy French words. Means somethin’ like “knight,” I think. Like them knights in shining armor, from the old stories. He must have been a real important fella to get all them titles and awards.
Well, that’s the story of André Bettencourt, far as I know it. He lived a long life, that’s for sure. Eighty-eight years old, when he passed. Lived through a lot, I reckon. Saw a lot of changes in the world. Just like me. We seen a lot, us old folks.
He was a big name, that André Bettencourt. Remembered for a lot of things. Politics, business, all that. And that L’Oréal company. It is connected with all of that. He sure made a name for himself, that’s for sure. He’s gone now, but folks still talk about him. That’s somethin’, ain’t it? To be remembered after you’re gone. He was a big wig, this André Bettencourt, you can be sure of that. His family, that Bettencourt Family, they are important, too. This name, André Bettencourt, you will hear it a lot, I think, even now. He had a full life, this one.
