The 80-year-old heir to Hermès decided to adopt a 51-year-old gardener to prevent his family and benefactors from inheriting his billions

The grandson of the founder of the French fashion house Hermès, 80-year-old Nicolas Puech, took a desperate step to preserve his multibillion-dollar fortune. After the death of his childless heir, Thierry Hermès, his money and property were supposed to go to a charity organization or relatives with whom the Frenchman had bad relations.

In order to leave them with nothing, Nicolas Puech decided to adopt a 51-year-old gardener with a wife and two children. However, there were problems with this, which were told to El Pais.

First of all, it is almost impossible to adopt an adult in Switzerland, where Puech lives. The law stipulates that one can become the son of a guardian after reaching the age of majority only if the adopted person lived with him or her for at least a year before the age of 18.

According to local media, the Frenchman has already hired a team of lawyers to find a way to make the gardener his heir.

The billionaire has already given him real estate in Marrakech, Morocco, and a villa in Montreux, Switzerland, for a total of 5.5 million euros (220 million hryvnias).

The journalists did not disclose the identity of the Puech's gardener, but found out that he is "from a poor Moroccan family" and is married to a Spanish woman. It remains unclear why the Hermès heir decided to leave such a significant sum to him.

The case may still be lost through the Isocrates charity foundation he founded. It is reported that the billionaire had previously entered into an agreement with philanthropists that provided for the transfer of part of the company's assets after his death. Now Puig wants to cancel this decision, despite Isocrates' protests.

It is expected that this issue will be resolved in court. As for the relatives of Thierry Hermes' grandson, they risk getting nothing.

It is reported that about 10 years ago, Puig resigned from the board of directors of the fashion brand, but still owns a 5.7% stake in the company. In the early 2010s, LVMH tried to "take over" the company, and the heirs of the founding family created a holding company to prevent this. Puig was the only one who did not join it, so he quarreled with his family.

His current net worth is estimated at 9-10 billion Swiss francs (9.5 to 10.6 billion euros). According to Bilan magazine, he is one of the richest people in Switzerland. From dividends alone, Puech receives 43 million euros annually.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that a Chanel show was held in Manchester, England, on December 7, which turned into a scandal. Residents of the city were dissatisfied with the fact that the road was blocked and a number of restrictions were imposed.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber.Do not fall for fakes!