L'Oreal heiress Francoise Bettencourt's love for Greek gods

On Liliane Bettencourt's recent death, her only daughter, Francoise not only inherited her mother's vast fortune but also the title of the world's richest woman. While Francoise is a board member of L'Oreal (it was founded by her grandfather), she has actively pursued interests such as the study of the genealogy of the Greek gods, even writing a book on the subject. So if you ever find yourself in her company, you may want to name drop one of these lords and ladies:

Poseidon

In Homer's Iliad, the god of seas favours the Greeks over the Trojans during the battle of Troy, adding swift wind to their sails. But in a twist, one of the heroes of the battle, Odysseus provoked the sea god's fury on his way back home to Ithaca from Troy. Odysseus blinded Poseidon's son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. This led to Poseidon raining many a storm on Odysseus. The Greek hero lost his way and his triumphant return home was delayed by a decade.

Athena

Among other things, she is the warrior goddess, the deity of craft and weaving. She is also the protector of the Greek city of Athens, which derives its name from her. The Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis is dedicated to her. As per Greek mythology, along with Hera and Aphrodite, she was one of the three goddesses whose feud led to the beginning of the Trojan war

Apollo

Residing on Mount Olympus, he is considered one of the most important figures in Greek mythology. He was variously considered as the God of poetry, music, truth and prophecy, healing and the sun and light. While the power of medicine has often been associated with him, he is also considered capable of raining plague and ill health, if displeased. As per mythology, it was Apollo who guided the arrow of Paris, the prince of Troy, that was shot at Achilles' heel. And thus indirectly being responsible for the warrior's death.

Hera

She was the goddess of women and children, the sister and wife of Zeus. As per many accounts, she was defined by her jealousy and anger reserved for the many lovers of Zeus. And her husband, the God of gods who did not fear anything, feared the wrath of his wife. Hera, who is considered to be the archetype of the union in the marital bed, wasn't known for her maternal instincts. She would often engage in trickery and fights to strike at Zeus's many earthly offspring.

Zeus

He was the god of the skys and thunder, the ruler of the many gods residing on mount Olympus. As the father of gods, he ensured that each performed his duty devotedly. The father of men, he also maintained a benevolent eye. With his chief weapon, the thunderbolt, he ruled the world with his brothers, Poseidon (ruler of the waters) and Hades (ruler of the underworld).