SAEDNEWS: Nicolas Puech, an 80-year-old Frenchman and the largest shareholder of the Hermes brand, has said he intends to leave his ā¬10 billion fortune to his house gardenerā¦
According to Saed Newsā social affairs desk, 80-year-old Frenchman Nicolas Puech, the largest shareholder of the Hermes brand, has announced his intention to leave his ā¬10 billion fortune to his home gardener.
Puech, who owns between 5% and 6% of Hermes as one of the descendants of the companyās founder, said he plans to formally adopt his āformer gardener and jack-of-all-tradesā and bequeath a substantial portion of his wealth to him.
Hermes, one of Franceās premier luxury goods producers, was founded in 1837 and is renowned for designing and crafting clothing, leather goods, perfumes, and other high-quality, expensive products.
Switzerlandās Tribune de GenĆØve reports that Puechās gardener and soon-to-be heir is a 51-year-old man from a āmiddle-class Moroccan family.ā
While adult adoption is not entirely impossible in Switzerland, it is considered highly unusual.
The wealthy heir, now residing in Valais, Switzerland, is reportedly already taking steps to reorganize Puechās assets by rewriting the will and consulting legal experts to assist with the adoption process.
Puech, a lifelong bachelor with no children, had previously, in 2011, signed a binding inheritance pact donating part of his fortune to a Geneva-based foundation called Isocrate, which funds anti-misinformation projects through NGOs that support journalism.
However, in February 2023, he issued a āhandwritten noteā announcing his intention to revoke the pact and make āother arrangementsā in his will.
In a statement, the Isocrate Foundation expressed regret over Puechās decision, calling it āan unfounded attempt to unilaterally cancel the inheritance agreement.ā
Due to legal restrictions, it remains unclear whether Puech will be fully successful in this unprecedented transfer of wealth.
According to Bilan magazine, which ranks the 300 wealthiest individuals in Switzerland each year, Puechās net worth is estimated between 9 and 10 billion Swiss francs (ā¬9.4ā10.4 billion).