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- [00:00]
Sarah Hagie
Hey Scamfluencers fans, Sarah here. If you love the drama Deception and Mind Blowing reveals, Wondery is your VIP ticket to more ad free episodes, early access to the juiciest scandals and deep dives you won't find anywhere else. Get the full Scamfluencers experience. Sign up today. Sachi, have you ever been in the position where you're friends with someone who has like a lot more money than you and was it ever awkward when it came to paying for stuff or like what you guys did?
- [00:35]
Sachi Cole
No, I don't think so. I don't think. I wouldn't really know, but I don't. I guess it hasn't been awkward enough that I've thought about it.
- [00:43]
Sarah Hagie
Yeah, and you've been pretty gainfully employed for a while. I've been the broke friend many times and also the not so broke friend with a friend who's more broke. And my rule now is that it all just comes out in the wash, you know? Yeah. Well Sachi, today's story is so beyond crazy even know how to describe it on its face. It's about a financially unbalanced friendship that becomes major tabloid fodder. But this scam will explode into a national scandal that uncovers decades of crime. It's late 2006 at a bank in Paris. Claire Thiebaud stands in front of a giant steel door leading to a safe. She taps her foot nervously as an employee opens the safe door. Claire is in her late 40s with a shiny blonde bob and blue eyes. For more than a decade she's worked as an accountant for Lilliane Betancourt, the heiress to the L'Oreal fortune and the richest woman in the world. Being an accountant for such a wealthy family is a tough job. Claire has to keep track of all the money moving through the Betancourt mansion. And recently Claire has witnessed some weird and worrying transactions. When the bank employee finally opens the safe door, Claire walks into a six foot tall room lined floor to ceiling with jewelry. It's basically like the cave full of gold and jewels in Aladdin. This whole collection is uninventoried and uninsured. Claire is the only person outside of the family with a key. And she only comes here on the rare occasion Lilliane needs a piece to wear to an event. But recently Lilliane asked Claire to empty all the jewelry from the vault and bring it home to her. The heiress has always been generous with her close friends, including her bff, a photographer named Francois Marie Bagnet. She loves to shower him with fancy gifts and dinners. But lately the gifts have become excessive, and Claire suspects that Francois Marie is pressuring Lilliane to take her jewels out of the Safe. Lilliane is 84 years old and her memory has been faltering. She often seems confused, and a few people have expressed concern that she's showing early signs of dementia. Claire is convinced that Francois Marie is taking advantage of her mental state to bleed her dry of her assets, starting with these jewels. When Claire initially refused to empty the bank vault, Lilliane just sighed. She said that maybe Francois Marie is right. Maybe Claire doesn't want to get the jewels because she's already stolen them for herself.
- [03:24]
Sachi Cole
I mean, I would do that.
- [03:26]
Sarah Hagie
Hey, uninsured and unaccounted for. Yeah, I'm going to take a ring or a necklace.
- [03:30]
Sachi Cole
Very, very open to stealing. One diamond. Yes.
- [03:34]
Sarah Hagie
Well, Claire is here today with her lawyer and a photographer to inventory the massive collection and prove she hasn't stolen anything. Francois Marie's accusations have wounded Claire deeply. And as they take inventory of the collection, Claire decides it's time to act. If Lillian won't listen to her warnings about Francois Marie, then Claire is going to have to bring her concerns to Lilliane's family. Tensions have been simmering between Francois Marie and Lilliane's staff, and Claire is about to bring the conflict to a boil. The scandal she unleashes will go far beyond Upstairs downstairs intrigue, all the way to the very highest corners of the French government. Foreign.
- [04:21]
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- [05:04]
Sarah Hagie
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- [06:14]
Advertisement
Come and give me your attention.
- [06:16]
Sarah Hagie
I won't ever learn my lesson.
- [06:18]
Sachi Cole
Turn my speakers to 11.
- [06:20]
Sarah Hagie
I feel like a legend today is the first in our two part series about the biggest French scandal you've probably never heard about. When Francois Marie Bagnet befriended the richest woman in the world, she showered him with gifts and financed his creative projects. He saw Liliane Bettencourt as his patron, but some people, including her family, suspected she was being conned. But in trying to expose Francois Marie as a ruthless gold digger, the family unwittingly exposes a web of corruption involving the most powerful people in France, including the country's president. And what starts as a family dispute quickly becomes one of the biggest and messiest political scandals in French history. Through it all, the whole world is left wondering, is Francois Marie really a crook? Or did Lilliane share her wealth with him because he's worth it? This is Francois Marie. The French Connection, Part 1 Legend to Understand the scandal that gripped France in the early 2000s, we need to go back a few decades to 1954. In Paris, seven year old Francois Marie is eating dinner with his family in a chic apartment building on a tree three lined street. He has curly blonde hair, green eyes and giant adorable ears. Francois Marie is a lively, curious kid. He loves painting and writing and can talk about art for hours. But his love of art sets him apart from the rest of his family. Francois Marie later says that his parents, quote, believed in nothing, but they believed in nothing very strongly. It feels like his dad wants to punish Francois Marie simply for being different. Francois Marie has two brothers, but he's usually the sole target of his father's explosive temper. He has said that his dad Hit him often and when he was really angry, he even beat his son's head against the ground. Francois Marie also said his mother never stepped in to defend him. She's more concerned about keeping up appearances than keeping him safe. So Francois Marie looks elsewhere for affection. He spends much of his free time playing with the maids in his building.
- [08:33]
Sachi Cole
That's sad. Playing with the maids is objectively very sad. Bleak childhood.
- [08:40]
Sarah Hagie
Yeah. And unfortunately it's the kind of childhood we hear about often on this show. Sometimes during his school lunch period, Francois Marie sneaks out and sells his paintings to strangers on the sidewalk. He actually makes a decent amount of money this way. His work is crude and unrefined, but even as a kid, he's charismatic enough to convince people to buy it. And he's motivated. He wants to show his parents that even if they won't support his art, others will. As Francois Marie grows older, he's desperate to escape into a new life. One where he can make a name for himself as an artist and garner the affection he's always longed for. But to get there, he needs help. So he sets out to befriend the most influential people in Paris's art scene. Starting with one of the most famous artists in the world. It's 1963 and 16 year old Francois Marie is standing in the lobby of Paris famous Maurice Hotel. He's heard that Salvador Dali is staying here. So he's decided to try to get him to look at his portfolio. Dali represents everything Francois Marie loves and everything his parents hate. Anti conformity and artistic freedom. So when he sees the artist in the hotel lobby, he goes right up to him and somehow this tactic works. Dali agrees to look at Francois Marie's portfolio. After leafing through the pages, Dali shrugs. He tells Francois Marie he hates his art.
- [10:15]
Sachi Cole
I feel like this is always a trope that like some famous artist is going to look at a portfolio from somebody on the street and be like, wow, you're it's. And I think what actually happens is this, which is this person gets bothered with your portfolio and is like, this sucks. I think this is more common than we realize.
- [10:32]
Sarah Hagie
Absolutely. But Dali is captivated by the teen's personality and boldness. He even starts sending a Cadillac to pick up Francois Marie after school every day so they can hang out. It's obviously very odd for an almost 60 year old art legend to be hanging out with a high schooler. But Dali is a famously odd guy and Francois Marie is honored to be included in his world. At 17, Francois Marie drops out of school, presumably to focus on schmoozing full time. And two years later, he finally moves out of his parents place. By now, he's grown into a handsome young adult, tall and lean, with dark golden curls and a disarming smile. With Dolly's help, Francois Marie gains entree into Paris's art world. He's probably now spending all his free time writing and drawing, or talking about writing and drawing with fellow artists and creative types. When he turns 20, one of Dali's friends gets him a job working as a press officer for Pierre Cardin, one of the world's hottest fashion designers. Sure, Francois Marie is barely an adult and has no relevant work experience, but when you're cute and charming and Salvador Dali is vouching for you, who could say no? Cardin was asked about his controversial and baffling choice to hire Francois Marie in an interview with the Sunday Times. Will you read what he said?
- [11:54]
Sachi Cole
He said, what interests me is his life. He was clearly better than anyone else around me. This must be the hottest man in the world.
- [12:03]
Sarah Hagie
He must be also just incredibly charming. I mean, even if he was, you know, a very remarkable young man. This is such a crazy quote. And for the next few years, everything is coming up Francois Marie. He's surrounded by passionate artists at his glamorous job. His Rolodex of famous and influential Parisians keeps growing. He gets a boyfriend, an up and coming interior decorator named Jacques. He even takes up photography as a fun hobby. It's everything he dreamed of as a child. The only thing that's missing is a launchpad for his own art. Hanging around famous artists is nice, but he wants success in his own right. And once he finally gets a taste of it, he'll do whatever it takes to keep it coming. It's a Sunday afternoon in 1969, and Francois Marie is seated at a dining table in a beautiful house in a suburb west of Paris. He's likely wearing his go to outfit, a white linen suit, and he's listening intently to the lunchtime conversation among France's literary elite. He's only 22, but Francois Marie has leveraged his new connections to publish his first novel. It's called Second Homes. It's a satire about the bourgeois Parisian families who live empty lives, idolize money above all else, and spend their time gossiping about each other. He set the novel in a small town outside of Paris where all the characters have second homes. It also happens to be very similar to the town where his family owns their country house. So it's a pretty Clear dig at his own parents.
- [13:41]
Sachi Cole
Sarah, as you know, I am delighted when anybody writes about their family. But I have to know, is this book any good?
- [13:48]
Sarah Hagie
It actually is. The book received good reviews and helped Francois Marie earn a reputation as a wunderkind. He even starts getting invited to contribute guest columns for huge newspapers. He's emerging as one of the most successful French writers of his generation. That's why he got invited to this fancy lunch today. It's hosted by the woman who founded Elle magazine and her husband, who founded a popular daily newspaper. This literary power couple holds weekly luncheons pairing France's elite like Lillian Betancourt, who's present today with Paris brightest stars. And now Francois Marie is one of them. But it's possible that this early success in Praise is getting to Francois Marie's head. When you're 22 and the world's telling you you're a creative genius, you're likely to believe it. Case in point, in one of his newspaper columns, he interviewed the most fascinating person he could think of himself.
- [14:45]
Sachi Cole
Incredible. Incredible grift.
- [14:48]
Sarah Hagie
Neither of us have ever interviewed ourselves because we thought we were the most fascinating people in the world.
- [14:53]
Sachi Cole
No. But now I think I have to. That's so bold.
- [14:57]
Sarah Hagie
So bold and crazy. But no one at this lunch is going to puncture his inflated ego. He's constantly surrounded and praised by the most powerful people in Paris, who seem to totally buy his hype. Francois Marie looks around the table and feels like nothing can stop him. But the problem with a meteoric rise is the inevitable crash and burn. People are about to start questioning if Francois Marie is really as talented as he thinks he is, and he might not be able to handle the heat. About three years after that lunch, Francois Marie is sipping coffee in the apartment he shares with his boyfriend, Jacques. He's smiling down proudly at the issue of London's Sunday Times magazine that just hit newsstands. Francois Marie is now 25 years old, and he's more successful than he could have ever imagined. He's still writing columns and essays for France's biggest newspapers. Last year, he published his second novel to rave reviews. And his group of famous friends is ever expanding. Now he's promoting his third book, called Headfirst, which comes out in the fall. And promotion is clearly going well because the magazine's cover star this week is him. This is a big deal. Francois Marie is only the third author to ever be on the magazine's cover. Saatchi, could you describe it?
- [16:24]
Sachi Cole
Oh, yeah, he's cute. It's him in Profile looking off into the distance, he looks a little like a Roman statuette. That's kind of the figure he's cutting here. And the headline is Francois Marie, golden boy of Paris. Oh God, he must be unbearable after this.
- [16:46]
Sarah Hagie
You would think so. But when Francois Marie starts reading the article, his smile drops because it's not the glowing profile he expected. Instead, the author casts Francois Marie as a social climbing pretty boy who caught a lucky break. He calls Francois Marie arrogant and says that his newspaper columns are, quote, futile and irritating. The journalist even mentions that self interview Francois Marie published as proof that he's too self obsessed to have anything interesting to say. Francois Marie doesn't help himself either. He's quoted as saying, I'm not here to write with a message. Nothing is more tiresome than saying things.
- [17:28]
Sachi Cole
I'd like to add this nonsense quote to the larger pantheon of nonsense quotes from famous people. Like when Kylie Jenner said, I feel like this year is really about, like the year of realizing things. Or when Kate Hudson said, I have a passion for wanting to do things.
- [17:44]
Sarah Hagie
I want to be a part of.
- [17:45]
Sachi Cole
Things that are going on.
- [17:49]
Sarah Hagie
You know what? I remember when Kylie Jenner said that, and she was right. It was the year of realizing things. She was, both of them are right.
- [17:56]
Sachi Cole
It was the year of realizing things. And I too have a passion for being amongst things that are going on well.
- [18:03]
Sarah Hagie
The article also calls out the critics who have given Francois Marie glowing reviews, saying it's quote, difficult to know whether they're creating fashion or following it. In the end, the journalist suggests that Francois Marie's success wouldn't be possible without the rich older people he seduced into friendship. And he questions whether Francois Marie's success is sustainable or whether he's already peaked. Francois Marie is furious. Sure, he's had help from his rich and famous friends, but he feels he earned his success. However, it turns out that the piece reflects the tide of public opinion shifting away from Francois Marie. He's young, beautiful, talented, and every rich Parisian is obsessed with him and people are kind of over it. When his novel comes out, it's an immediate flop. Francois Marie starts questioning his own artistic merit and he's so scared to fail again that he stops writing novels altogether. Three years later, in 1975, Francois Marie tries a new creative outlet, playwriting. With funding from an oil magnate's wife, he writes and produces a play called Hotel du Lac. Like his novels, the play criticizes the bourgeoisie of his upbringing. It opens to an audience of about 200 Paris elites, including his old friend Salvador Dali. But despite a successful opening night, Francois Marie's play ultimately flops, as does another play he writes a few years later. With these recent failures and mounting skepticism from critics, Francois Marie is feeling lower than ever. The public seems to be done with him, but he's still beloved by Paris wealthiest elites. He's about to meet the wealthiest, most elite of them all and form a connection that will secure Francois Marie's status and infuriate everyone else. Vacation season is nearly upon us, so it's a perfect time for you to treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve. And Quints is the place to do it. They have high quality travel essentials at fair prices.
- [20:13]
Sachi Cole
Yep, like lightweight European linen styles from $30, washable silk tops and comfy lounge sets, plus premium luggage options and stylish tote bags to carry it all.
- [20:23]
Sarah Hagie
The best part? All Quint's Items are priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands.
- [20:27]
Sachi Cole
Do you know how I was in the desert last weekend?
- [20:29]
Sarah Hagie
Yeah. Jealous.
- [20:31]
Sachi Cole
I know. Well, I was staying with my friend and I was staying in her guest bedroom and she actually had quince sheets. They were so comfortable. They were so soft. They were cool, they were warm. They were everything. Sarah, they're everything you want in the desert.
- [20:43]
Sarah Hagie
You know what? I've been hearing so much about the sheets. Gotta get em for your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from quints. Go to quince.comscampod for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order.
- [20:56]
Sachi Cole
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- [21:10]
Sarah Hagie
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- [21:21]
Sachi Cole
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- [21:31]
Sarah Hagie
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- [21:42]
Sachi Cole
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- [21:52]
Sarah Hagie
Banking services and debit card provided by the Bancorp Bank NA or Stride Bank NA members FDIC Spot Me Eligibility requirements and overdraft limits apply. Fees apply at out of network ATMs MyPay eligibility requirements apply. Credit limits range 20 to $500 $2 fee applies to get funds instantly. Chime checking account required. Go to chime.com disclosures for details. I feel like a legend it's 1985 and Francois Marie is now 38 years old. His last novel was published more than a decade ago, and though he hates to admit it, his confidence in his writing never truly recovered. After his work was panned to fill the artistic void, Francois Marie transitioned to photography, and to his relief, he's already getting praise for it. A friend of his runs a magazine called Egoiste and started publishing his photographs a few years ago. But writing is still Francois Marie's first love, and he's been quietly toiling away at a new book. After a 13 year hiatus from the literary world, he's finally ready to put himself out there again. His new novel, Son of a Good Family, largely draws on details from his own life. It's about a curious and sensitive boy growing up with an abusive father and an aloof mother. In the book, the character of Balthazar forges relationships with older, well connected elites, especially one rich older woman who he charms and flatters in exchange for gifts. They form a sort of cynical, symbiotic relationship. The young man makes her feel special and in return she gives him everything he wants.
- [23:39]
Sachi Cole
I know this guy's annoying and I'm sure he's a terrible writer, but I would read this book. This does sound like a good book.
- [23:46]
Sarah Hagie
It does sound like a good book. And you know what? The book becomes a bestseller and Francois Marie is overjoyed and invigorated by the response. But to some, Balthazar seems less like fiction and more like the author's reality. Over the years, Francois Marie has had a few friendships that look like this. Where he's put benefited from the generosity of older women who've offered him career opportunities and financial aid to fund his work. One of these women is Madeleine Castan. She's a famous interior decorator. Francoise Marie first met her around 15 years ago, when he was 22 and she was 75. Over the years, they've developed a sweet friendship. Francois Marie is fascinated by her involvement in the art world, and Madeleine likely appreciates having someone young and lively around. In 1981 Madelein actually puts Francois Marie on the map as a photographer by letting him take a photo of her in a nightgown without her wig on. It's a controversial and intimate image, and it remains one of his most famous photographs to date. Sachi, could you describe it?
- [24:52]
Sachi Cole
Yeah, it's this little old lady holding her cane and her wig and her.
- [24:56]
Sarah Hagie
Hair is a little disheveled.
- [24:57]
Sachi Cole
She's these big twiggy eyelashes. It's a good photo.
- [25:02]
Sarah Hagie
It's a great photo. Yeah, it's very evocative.
- [25:05]
Sachi Cole
Yeah.
- [25:05]
Sarah Hagie
A woman of that age in that position, like, you wouldn't really see her stripped down in that way.
- [25:10]
Sachi Cole
Yeah, it feels vulnerable, but it does feel consensual. It's not like a creepy photo, but it does. There is a lot of vulnerability in it.
- [25:18]
Sarah Hagie
Well, Madeleine's family doesn't approve of the friendship. Her grandson thinks Francois Marie is after her money and even accuses him of stealing things from her home. And while some people admire that famous photo of Madeleine, others see it as exploitation of a vulnerable older woman. Francois Marie is deeply bothered by all of this. He insists the two of them are just friends and that he's not taking advantage of her at all. If she wants to give him the occasional gift and take him out for nice meals, who's he to stop her? But everything takes a darker turn when rumors start swirling that Francois Marie isn't just manipulative and demanding, he's also violent. Madeleine's grandson alleges that after Madeleine refused to give Francois Marie a gift he wanted, he entered a fit of rage and pushed her down the stairs.
- [26:11]
Sachi Cole
Okay, I know there's a lot of confusion around this guy and what he did and didn't do. So is this true?
- [26:17]
Sarah Hagie
The allegation has never been substantiated, and Francois Marie staunchly denies it. But still, people around Paris start whispering that he'll do anything for wealth, including hurting those who care for him. Two years after the Balthasar book comes out, Francois Marie gets a call from his friend at aigoiste magazine. She needs a photographer for a feature, and the subject is none other than Lilliane Betancourt. Francois Marie is about to meet the grandest dame of all and charm his way into her inner circle by giving her the one thing no one else has dared to sass. It's 1987 in an exclusive suburb of Paris. Lilliane Betancourt is fixing her lipstick in The Mirror. She's 65 years old, with an iconic look she's sported for decades. Perfectly coiffed Dark brown hair, high cheekbones and the chicest wardrobe in France. We have a photo of her from around this time. What do you think, Saatchi?
- [27:21]
Sachi Cole
She's the most beautiful woman in the world. She looks like Cruella de Vil. She's wearing a fur coat that I think is made of puppies. She has Margaret Thatcher hair. Her eyebrows are so pointy. I'm so afraid of her. She looks like she is worth $1 billion. I would like to be one of her purses.
- [27:39]
Sarah Hagie
Yeah. She's obviously a very stunning woman who looks moneyed as hell. Lily Ann hears a buzzing sound coming from outside. She looks out the window to see a man riding an old blue motor scooter towards the mansion. A moment later, a member of Lillian's staff knocks at her bedroom door. The photographer is here. The French culture magazine Egoiste recently approached Lilliane and asked to write a feature about her life. Lilliane was hesitant. She's famously private and press shy. But one of her best friends vouched for the magazine, so she agreed. As heiress to the L'Oreal fortune, Lilliane has led a very comfortable life. Her father founded the company nearly 80 years ago and as an only child she inherited the empire. By the late 80s, she's worth around $2 billion. But despite all her fortune, Lilliane is unhappy. Her days are quiet and repetitive, filled with meetings and stuffy luncheons with other socialites. She's been with Andre, her politician husband, since the 50s, and though they have a good marriage, it's not particularly exciting. They have an adult daughter, Francoise, but the two have never been close. Even as a kid, Francoise was introverted and bookish, making it hard for Liliane to connect with her. Lily Ann's life feels empty and she's filled with a crushing sense of loneliness and stagnation. And now this magazine profile is is forcing her to think about all that she's done and what she wants for her future.
- [29:17]
Sachi Cole
You know, I'm relieved to know that even the rich are miserable. What a comfort that they are also having existential crises.
- [29:28]
Sarah Hagie
Yeah. And you know what? I don't see it as valid.
- [29:31]
Sachi Cole
I'm sorry, I didn't say it was valid. It's just nice to know they're also unhappy.
- [29:35]
Sarah Hagie
Yeah, it's nice to know that they're also like, what am I doing with my life? Bitch, you're rich. That's what you're doing with your life. Anyway, the photographer Oliver, bounds into the room. A 40 year old Francois Marie Bonnier. He greets her informally then immediately frowns at the lipstick she just applied. He says the color washes her out and she needs to take it off. And the pants she's wearing, those are even worse. He asks Lilliane if he could look through her wardrobe. And he gets to work picking out a new outfit. As he asks her questions about herself, Lilliane is stunned by People simply do not speak to her this way. They're so intimidated by her wealth that they don't treat her like a real, actual person. It's refreshing.
- [30:20]
Sachi Cole
I can't imagine living the kind of life where when people insult you, you're kind of delighted because it means they're finally telling you the truth.
- [30:27]
Sarah Hagie
I do feel like this is the correct tactic when it comes to someone who doesn't really have power over you. But also, everyone's weird around them. Yeah, it's kind of like when you're around a celebrity, you're supposed to pretend they're not one.
- [30:39]
Sachi Cole
Yeah. I mean, and also, like, flattery won't work on her.
- [30:43]
Sarah Hagie
No, it won't work on her. She's hurt it all. And when the article comes out, Lilliane is taken with the glossy black and white photos. They're simple and understated. She's in the clothes Francoise Marie picked out, her arms crossed in front of her as she smiles at something off camera. She doesn't look like the richest woman in the world. She just looks like a woman. Lilliane loves a feature article too, which Francois Marie actually helped edit. In it, she talks plainly about money and power. She says that she struggles with the fear that people are only after her money. It becomes the focus of the entire article and inspires the headline. Translated from French, it reads, after a certain number, people go insane. Lilliane has been desperate for a genuine connection, and she seems to have found it in Francois Marie. And as they grow closer, Lilliane will lower her defenses and start trusting him with her time, her secrets, and her money. It's 1991. Four years after the photo shoot, Lilliane and Francois Marie are sitting together at a swanky restaurant in the heart of Paris. Since Francois Marie took those pictures, the pair have grown closer. They often spend hours in restaurants or cafes chatting away. Francois Marie accompanies her to the stuffy socialite events she has to attend, which makes them more fun. Her life feels brighter and fuller. She's thrilled to have a friend by her side. Whenever they're apart, they write endless letters back and forth. Though Francois Marie is gay and Lilliane has a husband she loves, he almost feels like a partner to her someone she can confide in and who she always wants to be around. Here's a picture of them at a cosmetics industry event together around this time. Could you describe it?
- [32:35]
Sachi Cole
Yeah. It's Francois Marie and Lillian together. It's very mother boy. They look like an adult son and his mommy, which is also, you know, sometimes the vibe with a young gay man and the rich dowager taking care of him.
- [32:50]
Sarah Hagie
It's truly mother boy. Yeah, they look as thick as thieves to me. You can tell.
- [32:57]
Sachi Cole
Yeah, they look close.
- [32:58]
Sarah Hagie
And at this lunch, they're talking about Francois Marie's career. Through one of his many connections, he was recently offered an exhibition for his portraits at the Pompidou Center, Paris's massive, world renowned modern art museum. It's a huge deal, especially since he's never done a gallery show. Francois Marie wants to publish a photo book to accompany the show, but the publisher needs about $50,000 to make this happen. His good friend Yves St. Laurent had offered to cover the cost, but Francois Marie ended up turning him down. Yves wanted a photo of his boyfriend included in the book, but Francois Marie and Yves's boyfriend Pierre do not get along. Pierre has accused Francois Marie of being a social climber whose only claim to fame is to, quote, seduce old people. And ever since that Sunday Times article way back in 1972, this kind of criticism hits Francois Marie hard. So now Francois Marie is searching for a new source of funds for his photobook. Lilliane reaches across a table and grabs Francois Marie's hand. She offers to help fund his project. In fact, she can write the check immediately. Francois Marie thanks her and happily accepts.
- [34:15]
Sachi Cole
I mean, this is very nice of her, but it is not the kind of thing that's going to kill those rumors that he is sucking up to these older ladies.
- [34:24]
Sarah Hagie
No, it definitely won't. And as they wrap up their lunch, a waiter comes by with the bill, which Lillian covers, as usual. In their four years of friendship, Lilliane has treated Francois Marie to endless lunches and little gifts. But this is the first time she straight up gives him money. And though this feels like a small favor to her, people are about to start questioning who really benefits from this friendship, including Lilliane's daughter. It's a hot day in July 1993. On the Rocky shoreline of France's west coast. Francoise Betancourt Meyers is visiting her parents second home with her husband and their two young kids. Today they're all sitting outside enjoying their lunch with a view, along with Francois Marie. Just to be clear, since their names are similar, Francoise Is the daughter, Francoise Marie is the friend, photographer, potential grifter. Francoise is 40 years old, with sleek dark hair and high cheekbones she inherited from her mom. She's still bookish, though, and wears stylish oversized glasses that dominate her face. Sachi, could you describe her in this photo?
- [35:38]
Sachi Cole
Francoise looks like every French teacher I ever had. Obviously. She is wearing big, thick rimmed black glasses. She has black hair, big cheekbones, and a look of slight concern on her face.
- [35:52]
Sarah Hagie
And she looks moneyed, like her mom, you know. Well, Francoise and Lilliane have never been particularly close, and they've grown even further apart since Francoise got married and started a family. But ever since Francoise Marie entered the picture six years ago, she sees even less of her mother. To Francoise, the whole thing feels fishy. She and Francoise Marie are close in age. They could be siblings. So why is he so obsessed with her mom? Lilliane hasn't given Francois Marie any more cash since she funded the photobook a few years back. But she's constantly treating him to fancy lunches, and she's even brought him along on this lavish vacation. And recently, she started talking about drafting a long term contract for Francois Marie to work as a creative consultant and photographer for L'Oreal. The contract would give Francois Marie over $900,000 a year.
- [36:50]
Sachi Cole
Do you know what a creative consultant is like? What is consultancy?
- [36:55]
Sarah Hagie
They don't do anything.
- [36:56]
Sachi Cole
Right. So can I be a consultant?
- [36:58]
Sarah Hagie
Yes, you can.
- [36:59]
Sachi Cole
I'm happy to make this much money with a fake job title. I'm open to it.
- [37:03]
Sarah Hagie
Dude, we could have been consultants yesterday. It's not a real job. Yeah, podcasting is though.
- [37:09]
Sachi Cole
Yes, we have real jobs. Don't look under the hood, everybody.
- [37:13]
Sarah Hagie
Keep it moving. Well, Francoise is certain that Francoise Marie is after her mom's money. And even if he isn't, she just hates being around him. He's rude and crass, which he puts on full display at this lunch. The photographer reportedly asks Andre, Liliane's husband, about his pro Germany position in the Second World War. And Andre looks uncomfortable. Everyone looks uncomfortable. World War II is never a pleasant lunchtime conversation, but especially not for this family. Andre was vocally anti Semitic during the early days of World War II, which he chalks up, to quote, youthful mistakes. On top of that, Lillian's dad, the man who founded L'Oreal, was also anti Semitic and pro Nazi, and his company thrived with the help of the Nazi regime. This family's wealth is deeply connected to Nazi history. It's a fact that no one likes to discuss, but especially Not Francoise, who's attending this lunch with her Jewish husband and the two sons she's raising in the Jewish faith. So the brazen way Francois Marie is bringing it up makes her very uncomfortable.
- [38:27]
Sachi Cole
I think this is very cool lunchtime talk and totally appropriate. If you're gonna love Nazis, people will be bringing that up, and you just have to accept that that is part of the deal.
- [38:40]
Sarah Hagie
Very reasonable. Well, a bit later, Francoise pulls her parents aside and says no one should talk to them this way. It's not proper. But Andre brushes her off. He likes having Francois Marie around. It's good to be challenged. But Francoise isn't buying it. From this point forward, she decides she doesn't want to be around Francoise Marie anymore. She hopes her mom will understand and maybe even stop inviting him everywhere. But Francoise will soon realize this isn't an ultimatum. She's going to win. When it comes to people Lilliane wants around friendships, Trump's blood. And as Lillian's friendship with Francois Marie grows closer and more expensive, the billionaire will cast aside anyone who disapproves of it. If you're in healthcare, you've probably heard of figs. I'm not even in healthcare, and I've seen them on nurses and PAs. Fig scrubs are made specifically for awesome humans like you, designed to handle long shifts, constant movement, and everything the job throws at you, all so you can perform at your best.
- [39:52]
Sachi Cole
What makes figs different? They're engineered for real performance. They're made with lightweight, breathable fabric that actually moves with you, plus antimicrobial protection that keeps up with those marathon shifts. Whether you're running between exam rooms or bending down to check on patients, these scrubs work as hard as you do.
- [40:08]
Sarah Hagie
And their modern, tailored fit looks professional while still giving you all the function you need.
- [40:14]
Sachi Cole
Plus, FIGS isn't just about making great scrubs. They're changing the game entirely through their Threads for Threads initiative. They're bringing quality medical apparel to health care workers worldwide.
- [40:23]
Sarah Hagie
Go to wherefigs.com and use the code FIGS RX to get 15% off your first order. That's where figs.com code FIGS RX for 15% off your first order. A style destination I'm sure you've all heard of is Revolve, which is why we are so excited they're sponsoring the show.
- [40:45]
Sachi Cole
Yeah, they have curated items for every occasion and season. Weddings, vacations, events, and everyday staples. With over 1,200 brands and new arrivals daily, it's like having a personal stylist at your fingertips.
- [40:57]
Sarah Hagie
And it's not just fashion, they also have HomeGoods beauty items.
- [41:01]
Sachi Cole
I actually went through a bunch of their hair product sections and I bought this really big Aribe round brush that.
- [41:08]
Sarah Hagie
I'm really excited about. I also was able to do a big refresh for some makeup stuff that I knew was running low and stuff that I found was sold out at other places.
- [41:18]
Sachi Cole
From last minute getaways to party dressing and seasonal upgrades, Revolve has you covered with fast two day shipping and easy returns all on them. And for a limited time you can shop a curated selection of my favorite styles@revolve.com scampod and receive 15% off your first order with code scampod.
- [41:36]
Sarah Hagie
That's Revolve.com scampod to shop my top picks and get 15% off your first order with CODE Scampod Offer is only valid for a limited time so don't miss out. I feel like it's 1994 one year after that tense seaside lunch, Francois Marie is sitting in a big, beautiful apartment in the heart of Paris. He's lived here for almost 20 years. Initially he just bought one unit in the building, but he now owns three, including a studio space for his work. Francois Marie is here having lunch with his bestie, Lilliane. Lillian is now 72 and dealing with chronic back pain and mobility issues. He wants to make sure she's as comfortable as possible here, which is why he recently had an elevator installed. Francoise Marie knows that their friendship is still causing strain between Lilliane and her daughter. But Lilliane's support for Francois Marie hasn't wavered. She's actually followed through in securing those hefty L'Oreal contracts for him, putting her commitment to Francois Marie in writing and in a paycheck. Francois Marie's future feels bright. But as the two eat a meal his private chef prepared, Lilliane looks out the window and shakes her head. She says Francois Marie still deserves more. He should have more space to work and breathe. And she knows just the person to help herself. Soon, Lilliane starts to buy up the other apartments around Francois Marie's units, and by 1997, she's bought him the entire building.
- [43:20]
Sachi Cole
Hey, that's crazy, because that is an investment that really accrues in value over time. Nothing like real estate is a gift.
- [43:28]
Sarah Hagie
Yes, but we are also talking about the richest woman in the world, so, you know, chump change. This is also the first big handout Lilliane's given him since his Pompidou show six years ago. And as Francoise Marie Watches her age. He thinks it makes sense. With her declining health and endless fortune, Lilliane's probably realizing she has more money than she'll ever be able to spend, so why not share it with her best friend of a decade? But honestly, Francois Marie doesn't seem to need any help financially. He's become more famous as a photographer, and he's doing very well for himself. The backlash he experienced as a young, brash and full of himself artist has faded. He may not be Paris golden boy anymore, but he's not a target for critics either. He's a successful artist who has the respect and admiration of the famous and wealthy circle of friends he's accumulated. And he now owns a mansion in the south of France where he and Lillian sometimes travel with friends like Faye Dunaway, Princess Caroline of Monaco, and Johnny Depp. In fact, Francois Marie and Johnny Depp are so close that he actually becomes Lily Rose Depp's godfather when she's born in 1999. So while Francois Marie appreciates Lien's generosity, he doesn't seem to need it. Still, if his best friend, who again is the richest woman in the world, wants to splurge on him, why would he refuse? Lilliane and Francois Marie spend the late 90s living large. Cruising through art galleries and auction houses, Francois Marie helps Lilliane pick out paintings by the masters to liven up her drab mansion. In early 2001, Lilliane tells Francoise Marie to meet her at a random office building. It's a notary office, and they're here because after Lilliane dies, she wants him to inherit some of the paintings they've purchased together. This is a huge gift. The paintings were valued at around 17 million euros at the time and are worth nearly $100 million today. Francoise Marie is stunned, but Lilliane insists this is what she wants. She actually writes her reasoning for this gift in her will. Saatchi, will you read it?
- [45:47]
Sachi Cole
She says it's a quote, token of my gratitude for the moral and effective aid that Francois Marie Beignet has offered me. I am indebted to him on an emotional level for his long and constant support. I have been through some difficult moments. As strange as it might seem, he has been a great help. I mean, it sounds nice and it could be sincere. I just can't tell because this guy has a grifty energy around him.
- [46:12]
Sarah Hagie
Yeah. But I mean, she did write it. And a notary was present.
- [46:16]
Sachi Cole
Yeah.
- [46:17]
Sarah Hagie
On the day she went to the notary, Lilliane told Francois Marie that, quote, I have decided to give you, the paintings that we bought together. It's a road we have traveled together. It's our history. Francois Marie is touched. He and Lilliane have been close for nearly 15 years, and she clearly knows how much this artwork means to him. He smiles and thanks her and signs on the dotted line. But as Lilliane grows older and her generosity increases, more people will start to question Francoise Marie's true intentions. Because it seems like the more her health declines, the more Francois Marie lines his own pockets. It's late 2006 in Paris. It's a fateful day when Claire Thibaut, Lillian's accountant, stands in front of a giant steel door leading to a bank safe. She taps her foot nervously as a bank employee opens the safe door. Claire has been a member of Lillian staff for over a decade. It's a job she loves and feels grateful for, but it keeps her on her toes. The Betancours have an enormous staff and for some reason, everyone's paid exclusively in cash. And these aren't tiny salaries she's dealing with. Claire herself makes €130,000 per year. The chef makes 10,000 per month. The lowest salary in the house is the gardener's who earns a measly €3,500 per month. In short, there's a lot of cash filled envelopes passing through the mansion. And Claire is responsible for all of it. Lately, a few transactions have raised Claire's alarm. Around this time, the now 84 year old Lilliane transferred over the ownership of an island in the Seychelles to an international foundation that she funds. And while this might not seem shady, one of the beneficiaries is Francois Marie. Lilliane bought the island for $18 million and then put more than €50 million into upgrading it. She says she knows Francois Marie loves the island, so she wants to make sure it goes to her dear friend when she passes. Claire, like most of the Betancourt staff members, has never particularly liked Francois Marie. They dread his visits to the mansion. He pees in the carefully tend flower beds outside and lays on Lilliane's bed with his shoes on. He's not kind towards the staff and worst of all, they think he's rude to Liliane and doesn't treat her with the respect she deserves. But since he's been around for two decades, at this point, everyone has gotten used to dealing with the chaos he brings into the mansion. But recently, his behavior seems to have shifted from rude to predatory. Francois Marie seems to want more and more from Lilianne, including the contents of this safe, which is pretty much a room filled with precious jewelry. Claire usually only comes down here when Lilliane requests a specific piece of jewelry to wear to an event. So the fact that lately her boss keeps asking her to empty the entire safe makes her nervous.
- [49:23]
Sachi Cole
It sounds like they're all working for a woman who is simultaneously very generous, has a lot of money and has money to spare, but is also in ailing health. And so, like, can be taken advantage of. And the reality is, maybe has been, but maybe that's okay. And so now they're playing a game of, like, how much is too much to push with the old lady, but they're all a little complicit, it sounds like.
- [49:49]
Sarah Hagie
Yeah. I mean, I think everyone she knows and provides for thinks that they are the one who has the most noble cause for Lillian to give them money. You know what I mean?
- [49:59]
Sachi Cole
Yeah.
- [49:59]
Sarah Hagie
Well, Claire always refuses to empty the safe, explaining to Lilliane that moving all the jewelry is a security risk. But she's also afraid that her boss is being manipulated by Francoise Marie. Lilliane suffered a fall earlier this year that left her hospitalized, and she hasn't been the same since then. Her memory has been spotty, she often seems confused, and a few people have expressed concern that she's showing early signs of dementia. So Claire is convinced that Francois Marie is taking advantage of this to bleed Lilliane dry, including these jewels. Claire isn't alone in this worry. Other members of the house staff also think Lilliane is being taken advantage of. Many of them have worked for Lilliane for years and believe she just isn't as sharp and aware as she used to be. So they feel a duty to protect their boss from what they view as financial abuse at the hands of a man they have always hated. But the last time Claire said no to emptying the bank vault, Lilliane accused her of having stolen the whole collection for herself. Claire is shocked by this accusation and is convinced Francois Marie is behind it. Lilliane threatens to have her notary give Francois Marie the jewels instead. It's all of this that has led Claire to the bank today, where she's come to inventory the jewelry collection with the help of a lawyer and a photographer. This way, she'll have proof nothing was stolen. It's worth noting that Claire herself isn't completely impartial. She's also tried to reap the benefits of Liliane's generosity. A few years ago, lilliane gifted her €50,000. And earlier this year, Claire apparently asked Lilliane to buy three apartments for her as a treat. But still in her mind, that's different. That was an act of appreciation towards a longtime employee. There's a lot of intrigue at the Betancourt palace, and when a death strikes the family, it will force everyone to pick sides. And in a family this rich and well connected, it's hard to keep a scandal secret. It's December 2007 at the Betancourt mansion. Things have been particularly quiet lately. That's because last month, after 57 years of marriage, Lilliane's husband, Andre passed away. Lilliane's daughter Francoise, is mourning the loss of her father. She's sure her mother, Lilliane, is also struggling. But she doesn't know for sure because for the past year, the pair have been estranged. Lilliane cut ties with Francoise entirely, refusing to see her. Francoise is still hurt and angry that, in her eyes, Lilliane chose Francois Marie over her. But Francoise is also increasingly worried about her mother. Her family accountant, Claire, recently told Francoise about what's been going on at the mansion. And what she described was scary. Claire says the staff is convinced Francois Marie is up to no good. They want him gone, and they're willing to work with Francoise to make that happen. After Andre's death, the tension reaches its peak because of what one housemaid allegedly overheard while she was cleaning the mansion. She says Francois Marie and Lilliane had been chatting about inheritance, and he threw out a fun new idea. Perhaps Lilliane could adopt him. If she did, he'd officially become an heir to the L'Oreal fortune.
- [53:36]
Sachi Cole
This is where it's like, okay, fine, she bought you a bunch of apartments, she gave you all this cash. You're asking to adopt her now? It's weird. Now it's very weird.
- [53:46]
Sarah Hagie
Well, Saatchi, Francoise, Marie and Lilliane staunchly deny that any talk of adoption ever took place. But it's the final straw for Francoise. Maybe she's just worried about her mother, or maybe she's worried about how it could impact her massive inheritance. Because despite the tension with her mom, Francoise still stands to inherit most of the L'Oreal fortune. Either way, her grief has given her clarity. She's now hell bent on getting rid of Francois Marie. Francoise hires a lawyer and files a legal complaint against Francois Marie for the, quote, abuse of weakness. They allege that Francois Marie is knowingly taking advantage of Lilliane's failing help for his personal gain. And she gets Claire and the other concerned employees to tell law enforcement about what they witnessed in the mansion. They're all working in lockstep for one shared Lilliane's well being. But not everyone sees it this way. As Francoise launches her legal battle, Lilliane and much of the French public will claim Francoise is the opportunistic one, that she's a greedy heiress who doesn't want to share her inherited wealth. Still, she'll stop at nothing to take down Francois Marie, even if it means causing a media scandal and jeopardizing her family's reputation. Francoise's vendetta against one man is about to unearth tawdry and criminal details about her family and lead to the biggest political scandal in France's history. It will involve tax evasion, bribery, and even even an indictment of the President of France. And no one will come out unscathed.
- [55:36]
Sachi Cole
Loving Scamflancers get exclusive episodes and early access to new ones. All ad free on Wondry Plus. Join now in the Wondry app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Before you go, help us out by taking a quick survey@wondry.com survey.
- [55:54]
Sarah Hagie
This is Francois Marie the French Connection Part 1 I'm Sarah Hagie.
- [56:00]
Sachi Cole
And I'm Sachi Cole. If you have a tip for us on a story that you think we should cover, please email us@scampflancerswondery.com we use many sources in our research. A few that were particularly helpful were the Betancourt Affair, the World's richest woman and the Scandal that Rocked Paris by Tom Sancton and his two parts series Betancourt Affair in Vanity Fair Enfant Terrible by Amy Fine Collins for Vanity Fair Une a Ferg de Famille by Joshua Levine for Forbes, the Netflix documentary the Billionaire, the Butler and the Boyfriend and media parts reporting.
- [56:31]
Sarah Hagie
Gabrielle Drollet wrote this episode. Additional writing by us Sachi Cole and Sarah Hagie. Olivia Briley is our story editor. Fact checking by Lexi Peary, sound design by James Morgan. Additional audio assistance provided by Augustine Lim. Our music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Freeson Sync. Our managing producer is Desi Blalock. Our senior managing producer is Callum Plews. Janine Cornello and Stephanie Jens are our development producers. Our associate producer is Charlotte Miller. Our producer is Julie McGruder. Our senior producers are Sarah Enny and Ginny Blume. Our executive producers are Jenny Lauer, Beckman, Marshall luwy and Erin O'Flaherty. For Wondery.
- [57:22]
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