Hermès Heir Plans to Adopt Gardener, Leave Half His Fortune

Isocrates Foundation, originally set to inherit, contests the move amid ongoing legal proceedings

Nicolas Puech, an 80-year-old heir to the Hermès fortune, has reportedly begun the process to adopt his 51-year-old gardener, with plans to leave him at least half of his $13.2 billion fortune.
Puech's decision has sparked controversy, particularly with the Isocrates Foundation, a charity he founded in 2011. The foundation was originally set to inherit Puech's fortune, and is now contesting the move.
The gardener, who remains anonymous, is reportedly from a modest Moroccan family and has two children with a wife from Spain. He stands to inherit substantial properties in Marrakesh, Morocco and Montreux, Switzerland valued at $5.9 million.
Puech, who owns a 5.7% stake in Hermès, has had a longstanding rift with his family. He departed from the company’s board in 2014 following a dispute over LVMH's acquisition of a substantial stake in Hermès.
The legal proceedings to formalize the adoption and revise Puech's estate arrangements are ongoing, and it remains to be seen how this will play out.