Maroc - dailynews.co.za - Lifestyle - 10/Mar 12:36

When billionaires go rogue: the unexpected heirs of the super-rich

In a world where wealth typically flows from one generation to the next, the ultra-rich are breaking tradition and redefining inheritance.A notable example is Nicolas Puech, the 82-year-old heir to the Hermès fortune, who plans to adopt his former gardener and handyman, a 51-year-old man from a humble background in Morocco.This surprising move could see the gardener inheriting half of Puech's estimated $11 billion fortune, along with valuable properties in Marrakesh and Montreux, collectively worth nearly $6 million.Puech's choice is steeped in personal significance, as he is estranged from much of his family and has opted to cancel an earlier inheritance agreement tied to the Isocrates Foundation, a charitable entity he established in 2011.This decision not only underscores the complexities of modern legacy planning but also reflects a wider trend among the wealthy regarding how they envision passing on their fortunes.Similar sentiments have been echoed by other billionaires who have publicly declared their unconventional inheritance intentions.The renowned investor Warren Buffett, for example, has pledged to donate the majority of his $104 billion fortune to charity rather than directly to his children. He intends to establish a trust for his three adult children, demonstrating his belief in philanthropy over a more conventional wealth transfer.Other shocking inheritance choices from the super-rich:Pets: An emerging trend among affluent pet owners sees them leaving substantial sums for their furry companions. #The late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld left a significant portion of his $300 million estate to his beloved Burmese cat, Choupette, revealing the deep bond between pets and their wealthy owners.Royalty for animals: Leona Helmsley, dubbed the ‘Queen of Mean,’ made headlines when she bequeathed $12 million to her Maltese dog, Trouble, a figure later reduced to $2 million by a judge, but still highlighting eccentric estate choices.Giving it all away: Michael Bloomberg, worth $104.7 billion, intends for his fortune to support his charitable foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, rather than enriching his two children.Similarly, Bill Gates has long maintained that his children will not inherit the bulk of his wealth, deciding instead to allocate it to his philanthropic ventures.Random acts of kindness: In a remarkable twist on inheritance norms, Luis Carlos de Noronha Cabral de Camara, a nobleman of Portuguese descent, left his wealth to a random assortment of 70 individuals sourced from a phone book.Here, in a more whimsical vein, the "Great Stork Derby," initiated by a Canadian lawyer, promised monetary awards to women who bore the most children within a decade, showing the varied and imaginative ways to distribute wealth.Unexpected benefactor: Archibald McArthur, a man known as the "Dogeville Hermit," left merely $5 each to his family members upon his passing, instead bestowing the majority of his estate - valued at about $3 million today - to a friend he met on a park bench, underscoring the unpredictability of wealth distribution.The recent decisions by iconoclasts like Puech arguably reflect a deeper societal shift regarding the notion of inheritance, wealth, and family relations.By prioritising non-traditional heirs and philanthropic causes, the super-rich are inviting conversations about legacy, responsibility, and the true meaning of wealth in today's world.