French Billionaire Wants To Disinherit His Five Children, Give Entire Fortune To Charity
French Billionaire Wants To Disinherit His Five Children, Give Entire Fortune To Charity Published By, Last Updated: June 05, 2026, 17:34 IST Pierre-Edouard Sterin urges
French Billionaire Wants To Disinherit His Five Children, Give Entire Fortune To Charity Published By, Last Updated: June 05, 2026, 17:34 IST Pierre-Edouard Sterin urges French lawmakers to relax inheritance laws so he can donate his 1.4 billion euro fortune to charity, sparking debate over heirs rights and philanthropy. Pierre-Edouard Sterin urges French lawmakers to relax inheritance laws so he can donate his 1.4 billion euro fortune to charity. (Image: AFP) French billionaire entrepreneur Pierre-Edouard Sterin has sparked a debate in France after urging lawmakers to change inheritance laws so he can leave his entire fortune to charitable causes instead of passing most of it on to his five children. Sterin, the founder of gift-box company Smartbox and one of France’s wealthiest businessmen, made the appeal during a hearing before French senators, arguing that individuals should have complete freedom to decide how their wealth is distributed after death.
Under current French law, a large portion of a person’s estate must be reserved for their children. As the father of five, Sterin would be required to leave around three-quarters of his wealth to his descendants, regardless of his personal wishes. The billionaire said he would prefer to donate his entire fortune, estimated at around €1.4 billion, to philanthropic causes rather than pass it on through inheritance. He called for reforms that would give individuals greater control over their estates. “I would like to donate the entirety of my wealth to charitable causes," Sterin reportedly told lawmakers while defending the principle that people should be free to decide what happens to their assets. The inheritance issue emerged during a broader Senate inquiry examining the role of private wealth and political influence in France. Sterin’s appearance also drew attention because of his growing influence in conservative political circles and his support for right-wing causes.
The 52-year-old businessman has lived in Belgium since 2012 and has frequently criticised France’s tax system and political establishment. During the hearing, he reiterated his support for economically liberal and socially conservative policies and said he hopes to help shift France further to the right politically. Sterin, whose fortune stems from Smartbox and investment firm Otium Capital, has become an increasingly influential figure in French political and philanthropic circles in recent years. His latest comments have reignited a long-running debate over inheritance rights, wealth distribution and the balance between family obligations and philanthropic giving. If French inheritance laws were changed as Sterin proposes, it could represent one of the most significant shifts in the country’s succession rules, which have historically prioritised the rights of children to inherit family wealth. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.
From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers,... Read More Location: Paris, France First Published: June 05, 2026, 17:34 IST News world French Billionaire Wants To Disinherit His Five Children, Give Entire Fortune To Charity Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
The BriefWire