Zappos Founder's Final Wishes: Mystery Surrounds Will

New Details Emerge Regarding Tony Hsieh’s Estate Plan

Recent reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that the late Tony Hsieh, co-founder of Zappos, had a detailed estate plan in place. This contradicts earlier assumptions that he passed away without providing instructions for his approximately $1.2 billion fortune.

Key Provisions of the 2015 Will

A document signed in 2015, now part of a court filing, reveals a significant no-contest clause. This clause stipulates that any challenge to the will by Hsieh’s four family members will result in them receiving no inheritance.

Furthermore, the will designates over $50 million and multiple Las Vegas properties to trusts with beneficiaries who were intended to be surprised by the allocations.

Allocation to Harvard University

Hsieh also designated $3 million for his alma mater, Harvard University. This donation comes at a time when the university is facing scrutiny from the Trump administration.

Currently, Harvard is involved in a dispute with the administration regarding billions of dollars in frozen federal funding. The university’s endowment is also under increased examination.

A Unique Approach to Estate Planning

The emergence of this will introduces a further layer of complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings concerning Hsieh’s estate. His death in a house fire in November 2020, at the age of 46, was already considered unusual.

It appears Hsieh intentionally designed the will to generate a “WOW factor” for those who would benefit from it. He reportedly desired that recipients should “live in the wow.”

This suggests a deliberate intention to create a memorable and impactful experience for the beneficiaries of his estate.