Hermès billionaire to give 51-year-old gardener $11B fortune
The renowned fashion dynasty Hermes' 80-year-old billionaire, Nicolas Puech, is reportedly planning to adopt his 51-year-old former gardener and make him his "rightful heir." Per sources, Puech, who is unmarried and has no children, is giving him his staggering wealth worth $11 billion including substantial properties in Marrakesh, Morocco and Switzerland valued at $5.9 million! This unconventional decision has sparked intense speculation.
The gardener is from Spain; is married and has kids
The gardener, who is expected to receive a massive portion of Puech's monumental fortune, hails from Spain. He is married and also has two kids. Reports convey that Puech has already started the legal proceedings with a formidable legal team to adopt the gardener. This is set to bring huge changes to his real estate arrangements.
This step hints at an irreparable discord with his family
Examining Puech's past with Hermès offers insight into the reasoning behind this unusual selection of his successor. Per reports, back in 2014, an acrimonious conflict within Puech's family surfaced after LVMH, a competing luxury conglomerate, purchased a significant portion of Hermès. During this upheaval, Puech resigned from the company's board, indicating an irreversible animosity with his kin.
Before this, Puech pledged his wealth to the Isocrates Foundation
A spokesperson close to the French businessman says that he resigned due to his feelings of being under attack from family members for several years, not just about LVMH. Before this, Puech had already pledged his wealth to the Isocrates Foundation, which he had founded to fight disinformation. The foundation states that it is against any unilateral termination of the inheritance agreement.
Currently, the gardener's adoption process encounters certain challenges
At present, the gardener's adoption process encounters hurdles as it demands a pre-existing early-life connection, challenging its attainment. Furthermore, Puech's prior commitments loom as a substantial worry, potentially disrupting the adoption. Sources emphasize the criticality of an early bond for this adoption, complicating its feasibility amid Puech's obligations, and highlighting potential ramifications on inheritance proceedings.
