Unmarried Billionaire, Nicolas Puech, Chooses Gardener as Sole Heir to Ksh1.6T Fortune at 80

Possessing a wealth estimated at 9 to 10 billion Swiss francs, Nicolas Puech, an 80-year-old Frenchman and the primary shareholder of Hermès, intends to revise his will.

He plans to include his former gardener in the inheritance, aiming to share a portion of his substantial fortune with the 51-year-old man, described as coming from a modest Moroccan family.

Puech, with a reported stake of 5% to 6% in Hermès as the founder’s grandson, is looking to adopt his former domestic employee, as revealed by the Tribune de Genève.

Bilan magazine, which annually ranks Switzerland’s wealthiest individuals, estimates Puech’s fortune at 9 to 10 billion Swiss francs (9.4 to 10.4 billion euros).

The success of Puech’s plans remains uncertain.

Puech, currently residing in Valais, Switzerland, has taken steps to reorganize his estate for this purpose.

Legal professionals have been enlisted to aid in the adoption process, which is considered an uncommon endeavor in Switzerland when adopting an adult.

Additionally, complications have arisen due to a previous inheritance pact signed with the Geneva-based foundation, Isocrates, in 2011.

When approached by AFP, the foundation acknowledged being recently informed about the founder’s intention to cancel the succession pact but expressed unawareness of any alternative arrangements.