Billionaire Hermès heir Nicolas Puech adopts gardener as his heir, worth $11 billion
Nicolas Puech, the unmarried and childless billionaire heir to the luxury fashion house Hermès, has sparked controversy with his plan to adopt his 51-year-old gardener as his heir.
Puech, a fifth-generation descendant of Thierry Hermès, who laid the foundation of the luxury fashion house in 1837, commands a considerable share in the now $220 billion-valued company, ranking among Switzerland’s wealthiest individuals with an estimated worth of $10.3 billion to $11.4 billion.
The move, which has been supported by a team of lawyers, is part of Puech’s revised estate arrangements.
The gardener, who is married with two children, is reportedly from a “modest Moroccan family” and stands to inherit a significant portion of Puech’s fortune, including properties in Marrakesh and Montreux worth $5.9 million.
The adoption plan faces legal challenges, as adult adoption is a rare occurrence in Switzerland and requires a prior relationship between the adoptee and the adoptive parent during their minor years.
Puech’s decision to adopt his gardener may also be seen as a legal tactic to preempt any interference from the Isocrates foundation, which he previously committed his fortune to combat misinformation.
The foundation has opposed any unilateral cancellation of the inheritance contract.
Puech’s history with Hermès provides context for his choice of heir.
In 2014, a bitter rift emerged when LVMH, a rival luxury conglomerate, acquired a substantial stake in Hermès, leading to an acrimonious battle within the family.
“He resigned because he has felt for several years beleaguered by members of his family, who have attacked him on several fronts, not only regarding LVMH,” stated a spokesperson for Puech at the time.
Puech’s departure from the company’s board amid this turmoil signalled irreparable discord with his family members.
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