Billionaires

Luxury Heir Alleges His $13 Billion Hermès Fortune Has Vanished

  • Descendant loses Swiss court case against ex-wealth manager
  • Nicolas Puech accused Eric Freymond of ‘gigantic fraud’
A Hermès boutique in Paris.Photographer: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg
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An octogenarian heir to the Hermès luxury fortune, who sparked controversy last year over a plan to leave his money to his gardener, may not have much to give away after all.

In the latest twist to the longstanding mystery surrounding Nicolas Puech’s billionaire status, a Swiss court this month threw out the 81-year-old’s allegations that his former wealth manager had a role in his fortune’s disappearance.