36氪·2025-12-17 00:09Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the downfall of Nicolas Puech, the heir of Hermès, who went from having a fortune of $15 billion to losing it all due to betrayal by a close friend and financial advisor, Eric Fremont [5][7][28]. Group 1: Background of Nicolas Puech - Nicolas Puech, the heir of Hermès, was known for living off the dividends of the company since the mid-1990s [16]. - He had no children and was unmarried, relying heavily on his friend and wealth advisor, Eric Fremont, for financial management [19][21]. - Puech developed a close relationship with a Moroccan gardener, considering adopting him and transferring his wealth to him [21][22]. Group 2: Financial Betrayal - In 2022, Puech instructed Fremont to transfer 1 million Swiss francs to the gardener, but the funds were never received, raising Puech's suspicions [22][25]. - An independent audit revealed that 90% of Puech's shares had been transferred as early as 2008, with his stock account completely emptied by 2021 [28][29]. - Fremont lived lavishly while Puech's assets were drained, leading to a lawsuit filed by Puech against Fremont for large-scale fraud in 2023 [31][56]. Group 3: The LVMH Incident - In 2010, LVMH began acquiring shares of Hermès, alarming the family as it approached a critical ownership threshold [35][38]. - The Hermès family united to lock their shares in a holding company, preventing LVMH from gaining control [38]. - Puech was implicated in selling shares to LVMH without his knowledge, claiming Fremont orchestrated the transactions behind his back [41][42]. Group 4: Legal Proceedings and Aftermath - Fremont claimed that all transactions were authorized by Puech, presenting signed documents as evidence [50]. - The court ruled that since Puech voluntarily transferred wealth management to Fremont, it could not be classified as fraud [53]. - Fremont's suicide in July 2023 left the fate of Puech's wealth unresolved, highlighting the dangers of trust in close relationships [55][56]. Group 5: Broader Implications - The article illustrates a harsh reality for the wealthy: their greatest financial vulnerabilities often lie within their closest relationships [57]. - It emphasizes that trust can create blind spots, making affluent individuals prime targets for exploitation [91][92]. - The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of due diligence and the risks associated with relying on personal relationships for financial management [99][100].