Nicolas Puech, the 80-year-old billionaire of the renowned fashion brand Hermes, is reportedly planning to adopt his 51-year-old former gardener and make him his “rightful heir.” According to sources, Puech, who is unmarried and has no children, is leaving him his staggering $11 billion fortune, which includes substantial properties in Marrakesh, Morocco, and Switzerland worth $5.9 million! This unusual decision has sparked a lot of speculation.
The gardener is from Spain, married, and has children
The gardener, who is expected to receive a large portion of Puech’s massive fortune, is Spanish. He is married and has two children. According to reports, Puech has already begun legal proceedings with a formidable legal team to adopt the gardener. This will have a significant impact on his real estate arrangements.
This action suggests an irreparable schism within his family
Examining Puech’s relationship with Hermès reveals the reasoning behind his unusual choice of successor. According to reports, an acrimonious conflict erupted within Puech’s family in 2014 after LVMH, a competing luxury conglomerate, purchased a significant portion of Hermès. During this period of upheaval, Puech resigned from the company’s board of directors, indicating an irreversible animosity with his family.
Puech had previously pledged his fortune to the Isocrates Foundation
According to a spokesperson close to the French businessman, he resigned due to his feelings of being attacked by family members for several years, not just because of LVMH. Puech had already pledged his fortune to the Isocrates Foundation, which he founded to combat disinformation. According to the foundation, any unilateral termination of the inheritance agreement is prohibited.
Currently, the gardener’s adoption process is fraught with difficulties
At the moment, the gardener’s adoption process is hampered because it requires a pre-existing early-life connection, which is difficult to obtain. Furthermore, Puech’s prior commitments loom as a significant concern, potentially delaying the adoption. According to sources, an early bond is critical for this adoption, complicating its feasibility in light of Puech’s obligations and highlighting potential ramifications on inheritance proceedings.