French billionaire Pierre-Edouard Sterin is calling on lawmakers to change inheritance laws so he can give his €1.4 billion fortune to charity instead of passing it down to his five children.
Sterin, a 52-year-old tax exile who lives in Belgium, made the appeal during a public hearing, saying he wants to be able to do whatever he wants with his wealth.
Under current French law, three-quarters of his assets must be passed down to his offspring, but Sterin hopes to change this by giving his fortune to philanthropic causes.
Sterin has been a polarizing figure in France due to his right-wing politics and ties to far-right groups, but he claims he is at the center of the conservative end of France's political spectrum.
He has a net worth of about €1.4 billion and has sparked intense debate in France over his backing of philanthropic and political outfits.
