Hermès Heir Reportedly Plans to Adopt 51-year-old Gardener So He Can Pass on His $11 Billion Fortune

Nicolas Puech, 80, is the estranged Hermès heir who has ruffled a few feathers. He recently announced a plan to adopt his 51-year-old former gardener and handyman to leave him his $11 billion fortune. 

Puech is the grandson of the founder of the luxury brand and owns 5.7% of the company, the Entrepreneur reported. But he has little contact with his wealthy family.

Peuch is also single and childless but considers the gardener (whose identity has been withheld) to be like family, according to the publication. The gardener is described to be “from a modest Moroccan family” and has a Spanish wife and two children.

Previously, Peuch said he would give his money to his foundation. However, earlier this year, he chose differently and sent a “handwritten note” to the foundation of a new succession. 

Peuch will first have to overcome some legal obstacles. According to Tribune de Genève, adopting an adult child in Switzerland is challenging —especially when transferring billions of dollars.

Puech clashed with his family nearly a decade ago when he left Hermès’ board of directors after a hostile takeover bid by rival LVMH. He later retained his shares, placing him back among the wealthiest individuals in Switzerland.

Hermès is now the third-largest publicly listed company in France, with an estimated valuation of $200 billion.