Hermès' Gen Z heirs become overnight millionaires thanks to soaring stock prices.
Birkins and Kellys—The key to generational wealth.
But is there trouble ahead? Luxury stocks face turbulence amid China's economic concerns.
Hermès Ostrich Birkin, by By Wen-Cheng Liu, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikipedia).
Ah, Hermès: A name that has come to symbolize not only luxury but increasingly
a kind of intergenerational scheme where the prize is obscene wealth. The
latest to cash in on the family’s good fortune are the Gen Z offspring of Wilfried
Guerrand, a distant descendant of the luxury house’s founder Thierry Hermès. This is a tale of money, family and the irresistible pull of Birkins and Kellys. Read on.
Wilfried Guerrand, Executive Vice President Métiers, IT & Data, Hermès (LinkedIn).
Guerrand, who holds a role on the label’s executive committee, decided
it was time for his four children—Sixtine (25), Stanislas (20), Mathias (19),
and Albane (18)—to experience the joys of being fabulously wealthy.
How? By gifting each of them 450 Hermès shares, worth a whopping $4.3
million in total. Thanks to the skyrocketing value of Hermès stock, which has
surged over the past five years, the Guerrand kids became millionaires almost
overnight. And while most Gen Z-ers are perfecting TikTok dances or flipping
burgers, these four can now focus on the serious task of managing their new
wealth—or perhaps just hiring someone to do it for them.
Hermès—A Dynasty Worth Its Weight In Birkin Bags
The Hermès brand, originally founded as a harness-making business in
the 1830s, has transformed into a $151 billion empire with multiple family
branches (think Dumas, Guerrand, and Puech). These branches are less
“family tree” and more “family forest,” with over 100
people bearing the Hermès lineage. And they're not just surviving; they're
thriving—very, very well.
Take, for instance, Nicolas Puech, another member of the Hermès clan.
Worth a cool $13.6 billion according to Forbes, Puech recently made headlines
for his eccentric philanthropy, announcing plans to gift his entire fortune to
his gardener. Yes, you read that right—his gardener. But the plot thickens!
In a twist befitting a soap opera, Puech is now suing his former wealth
manager, claiming
the money has mysteriously vanished. You can't make this stuff up, folks.
Luxury Stocks on a Bumpy Ride
While the Hermès family is busy distributing wealth like candy at
Halloween, Europe's luxury sector is grappling with its own set of challenges. Stocks
of luxury giants, including Hermès, have taken a hit recently, spooked by
economic uncertainty in China—a key market. On September 5, shares of
Hermès dropped as part of a broader sell-off among European luxury stocks,
following concerns over China's economic slowdown and reduced consumer
confidence.
But don't let that fool you. Even as other luxury brands bemoan the downturn,
Hermès continues to defy gravity. In its June
half-year report, the company announced revenue of €7.5 billion, up 15% at
constant exchange rates. Sales in Japan, Europe, and the Americas remained
robust, even as China lagged. “The solid first‐half results in a more
complex economic and geopolitical context reflect the strength of Hermès’
model,” said Axel Dumas, the sixth-generation executive chairman of
Hermès. While other brands struggle, Hermès keeps riding high—proving that it
takes more than a little economic turbulence to knock a family this wealthy off
course.
Nepotism's In Fashion
Let’s face it, most of us don’t have a family tree that comes with a
balance sheet. But for the Hermès clan, nepotism isn’t just a dirty word; it’s
practically a job description. Guerrand himself, a long-time Hermès executive,
is just one of many family members with a golden ticket to the upper echelons
of the company. With a fortune in shares and decades of experience, Guerrand is
not only an heir but a key player in managing the brand.
As for the rest of the Hermès dynasty, they seem to have nailed down
the formula for preserving and multiplying their fortune, proving that you
don’t need a disruptive startup to get rich—you just need the right last
name. Forget bootstraps; this is all about Birkin straps.
The Hermès Way—Born Rich, Stay Rich
For most of us, the world of Hermès seems like a different planet—one
where leather handbags cost more than a new car, and where family members are
made millionaires at the drop of a hat (or rather, at the gifting of some
stock). And while the rest of the luxury sector frets over China's economic
slowdown, Hermès seems content to continue its role as the crown jewel of conspicuous
consumption.
So, what's the lesson here? If you're lucky enough to be born into the
Hermès dynasty, the chances are you won't just get a job, you’ll get a fortune.
For everyone else, well, there's always the chance of befriending Nicolas
Puech’s gardener.
Ah, Hermès: A name that has come to symbolize not only luxury but increasingly
a kind of intergenerational scheme where the prize is obscene wealth. The
latest to cash in on the family’s good fortune are the Gen Z offspring of Wilfried
Guerrand, a distant descendant of the luxury house’s founder Thierry Hermès. This is a tale of money, family and the irresistible pull of Birkins and Kellys. Read on.
Wilfried Guerrand, Executive Vice President Métiers, IT & Data, Hermès (LinkedIn).
Guerrand, who holds a role on the label’s executive committee, decided
it was time for his four children—Sixtine (25), Stanislas (20), Mathias (19),
and Albane (18)—to experience the joys of being fabulously wealthy.
How? By gifting each of them 450 Hermès shares, worth a whopping $4.3
million in total. Thanks to the skyrocketing value of Hermès stock, which has
surged over the past five years, the Guerrand kids became millionaires almost
overnight. And while most Gen Z-ers are perfecting TikTok dances or flipping
burgers, these four can now focus on the serious task of managing their new
wealth—or perhaps just hiring someone to do it for them.
Hermès—A Dynasty Worth Its Weight In Birkin Bags
The Hermès brand, originally founded as a harness-making business in
the 1830s, has transformed into a $151 billion empire with multiple family
branches (think Dumas, Guerrand, and Puech). These branches are less
“family tree” and more “family forest,” with over 100
people bearing the Hermès lineage. And they're not just surviving; they're
thriving—very, very well.
Take, for instance, Nicolas Puech, another member of the Hermès clan.
Worth a cool $13.6 billion according to Forbes, Puech recently made headlines
for his eccentric philanthropy, announcing plans to gift his entire fortune to
his gardener. Yes, you read that right—his gardener. But the plot thickens!
In a twist befitting a soap opera, Puech is now suing his former wealth
manager, claiming
the money has mysteriously vanished. You can't make this stuff up, folks.
Luxury Stocks on a Bumpy Ride
While the Hermès family is busy distributing wealth like candy at
Halloween, Europe's luxury sector is grappling with its own set of challenges. Stocks
of luxury giants, including Hermès, have taken a hit recently, spooked by
economic uncertainty in China—a key market. On September 5, shares of
Hermès dropped as part of a broader sell-off among European luxury stocks,
following concerns over China's economic slowdown and reduced consumer
confidence.
But don't let that fool you. Even as other luxury brands bemoan the downturn,
Hermès continues to defy gravity. In its June
half-year report, the company announced revenue of €7.5 billion, up 15% at
constant exchange rates. Sales in Japan, Europe, and the Americas remained
robust, even as China lagged. “The solid first‐half results in a more
complex economic and geopolitical context reflect the strength of Hermès’
model,” said Axel Dumas, the sixth-generation executive chairman of
Hermès. While other brands struggle, Hermès keeps riding high—proving that it
takes more than a little economic turbulence to knock a family this wealthy off
course.
Nepotism's In Fashion
Let’s face it, most of us don’t have a family tree that comes with a
balance sheet. But for the Hermès clan, nepotism isn’t just a dirty word; it’s
practically a job description. Guerrand himself, a long-time Hermès executive,
is just one of many family members with a golden ticket to the upper echelons
of the company. With a fortune in shares and decades of experience, Guerrand is
not only an heir but a key player in managing the brand.
As for the rest of the Hermès dynasty, they seem to have nailed down
the formula for preserving and multiplying their fortune, proving that you
don’t need a disruptive startup to get rich—you just need the right last
name. Forget bootstraps; this is all about Birkin straps.
The Hermès Way—Born Rich, Stay Rich
For most of us, the world of Hermès seems like a different planet—one
where leather handbags cost more than a new car, and where family members are
made millionaires at the drop of a hat (or rather, at the gifting of some
stock). And while the rest of the luxury sector frets over China's economic
slowdown, Hermès seems content to continue its role as the crown jewel of conspicuous
consumption.
So, what's the lesson here? If you're lucky enough to be born into the
Hermès dynasty, the chances are you won't just get a job, you’ll get a fortune.
For everyone else, well, there's always the chance of befriending Nicolas
Puech’s gardener.
Louis Parks has lived and worked in and around the Middle East for much of his professional career. He writes about the meeting of the tech and finance worlds.
Gold Price Prediction 2026: WGC Warns of 20% Crash Risk
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
