A single Hermes heir without children is granting his 51-year-old gardener $11 billion and $5.9 million worth of properties.

Nicolas Puech, scion of the renowned Hermès fashion empire, is reportedly orchestrating a remarkable succession narrative involving the adoption of his 51-year-old gardener.

The unmarried and childless eighty-year-old billionaire intends to legally designate his “former gardener and handyman” from a “modest Moroccan family” as his rightful heir, according to the Swiss publication Tribune de Geneve.

This decision to pass on substantial wealth and real estate to his gardener has ignited widespread speculation. Puech, a fifth-generation descendant of Thierry Hermès, the founder of the luxury fashion house in 1837, holds a significant stake in the now $220 billion-valued company. With an estimated net worth ranging from $10.3 billion to $11.4 billion, he ranks among Switzerland’s wealthiest individuals.

Reportedly, Puech has initiated legal proceedings, backed by a formidable legal team, to formalize the gardener’s adoption, a pivotal component of his revised estate arrangements.

The gardener, said to be married to a woman from Spain with two children, stands to inherit a substantial portion of Puech’s fortune, including significant properties in Marrakesh, Morocco, and Montreux, Switzerland, valued at $5.9 million.

Understanding Puech’s motivation requires delving into his history with Hermès. A rift emerged in 2014 when rival luxury conglomerate LVMH acquired a substantial stake in Hermès, sparking internal family strife. Puech’s departure from the company’s board signaled irreparable discord with his family, who had attacked him on various fronts.

Despite Puech’s unconventional plan, significant challenges loom, including navigating complex legal hurdles for adult adoption, an exceedingly rare occurrence in Switzerland. Reports suggest that such adoptions typically require a prior relationship during the adoptee’s minor years, a condition that may be challenging to fulfill.

Complicating matters further are conflicting commitments. Puech had previously pledged his fortune to the Isocrates foundation, established by him to combat misinformation. Attempts to retract this commitment could trigger a fierce legal battle, as the foundation opposes any unilateral cancellation of the inheritance contract, signaling a potential legal dispute.

Some reports suggest that the adoption maneuver may serve as a legal tactic to preempt any interference from the foundation in Puech’s will.