Nicolas Puech: The Heir, The Missing Shares, and The Gardener’s…

Nicolas Puech, heir to a $15 billion fortune from Hermès, is entangled in legal disputes after he backed out of a major share sale to Qatar’s Emir, claiming he can’t locate the shares involved. Accusations of fraud against his former advisor complicate matters. In a surprising move, Puech adopted his gardener as his heir, raising inheritance concerns. The ongoing legal disputes could significantly impact Puech’s assets and the Hermès brand.

Nicolas Puech, an 82-year-old heir to a $15 billion Hermès fortune and the great-grandson of founder Thierry Hermès, finds himself embroiled in a complex legal situation. He is facing accusations related to a potential deal with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, involving a 5% stake in Hermès that he reportedly cannot locate, stirring international intrigue and legal confusion.

On February 10, 2025, Puech signed a contract to sell over 6 million Hermès shares to Qatar’s royalty for more than $15 billion. Shortly after, he reneged on the agreement, claiming he was unable to access the shares. Now, Honor America Capital, which represents the Qatari Emir, has launched a lawsuit against Puech for allegedly breaching the agreement and seeks $1.3 billion in damages for lost profits and reputational harm.

Puech’s fortune has become a focal point as he alleges a “gigantic fraud” may have led to the disappearance of his Hermès shares, which he attributes to his former financial advisor. Legal actions in Switzerland have dismissed his fraud claims, citing that he granted full management of his assets to the advisor. Nonetheless, Puech continues to pursue legal action in France while speculating that the shares could have been transferred to other parties, including rival luxury magnate Bernard Arnault.

A significant turn emerged in 2023 when Puech announced the adoption of his longtime gardener, determining him as heir to half of his multi-billion-dollar estate. This decision sparked outrage from the Isocrates Foundation, his previous intended heir, and raises questions on the financial implications due to Swiss laws that exempt adopted children from inheritance taxes.

Puech’s conflicting claims regarding the existence of the shares have created further uncertainty. While he asserts they are lost in legal matters in Switzerland, in the U.S. lawsuit, he claims he controls the shares. The resolution of this contradiction will be determined by judicial proceedings. Columbia University law professor Eric Talley noted that even with a favorable ruling for Qatar, it could enable them to exert influence over Puech’s estate should the shares reemerge or following the gardener’s inheritance. The value of Hermès shares has risen significantly, making their acquisition a highly sought-after goal within the luxury market, intensifying the stakes of this situation.

The saga surrounding Nicolas Puech highlights a complicated intersection of family legacy, financial intrigue, and legal challenges. With potential claims of fraud and inheritance complicating the landscape, the outcome of Puech’s legal battles will have profound implications not only for his financial standing but also for the future of the Hermès brand and its stakes. The involvement of Qatar’s royal family adds another layer of complexity, as the market for Hermès shares remains extremely lucrative.

Original Source: skjbollywoodnews.com