Puech is a fifth-generation descendant of the Hermes founder, living in Switzerland with no kids|monkeyc.net|CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Nicolas Puech, the 80-year-old descendant of French luxury brand Hermes, is reportedly adopting his 51-year-old former gardener—to prevent his charity from inheriting the $13 billion estate.
The inheritance contract between Puech and his own charity, the Isocrates Foundation, which he founded in 2011, reportedly indicates his 5.7% shares in Hermes to be left to the foundation unless he becomes a father. His child is entitled to a part of the inheritance and at least 50% if it’s a son.
Puech is a fifth-generation descendant of the Hermes founder, living in Switzerland with no kids.
Isocrates is openly contesting the adoption process. In a statement shared with CNN they said, “From a legal point of view, a unilateral cancellation of the contract of inheritance seems void and unfounded.”
A post-pandemic boom in the sale of luxury goods skyrocketed the worth of Hermes scarves and handbags (resale or otherwise), raising its valuation to nearly $230.8 billion (€211 billion). It made Puech’s stake worth around $13 billion.
