Breaking News: Tony Hsieh's Mysterious Will Surfaces
Vegas Philanthropist Tony Hsieh, Now Deceased, Potentially Left Behind a Testament
April 18, 2025, 03:33h.
Last updated on: April 18, 2025, 03:33h.
Corey Levitan Read MoreCommercial GamingEntertainmentInsider's TakeLas VegasRestaurantsLas Vegas Myths A questionably authentic will penned by the late Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh, has surfaced, potentially impacting the allocation of his reported $840M fortune*
Tony Hsieh, the enigmatic face behind the shoe empire Zappos and Las Vegas's prominent philanthropist, left an estimated fortune of $840 million behind when he passed away five years ago. Initially believed to be intestate (without a will), a twist in the tale surfaced on Thursday night through a court filing to Clark County District Court, proposing otherwise.
The recently discovered will, dated March 13, 2015, appears to have Hsieh's signature alongside witnesses, meticulously outlining the distribution of his assets - including his property in the Fremont Street East District - into a trust. Additional directives stipulate monetary donations to institutions like Harvard University and the American Red Cross[2].
The will came to light among the personal effects of Pir Muhammad, who was designated as its co-executor. Interestingly, Muhammad was unaware of Hsieh's death in 2020 due to his Alzheimer's diagnosis, as explained in a letter within the filing[2].
Hsieh's demise, caused by injuries sustained in a Connecticut house fire on Nov. 27, 2020, followed years of erratic behavior that his close associates reported. Since Hsieh was considered without a will, the administration of his estate has remained a subject of an extensive legal battle in the Clark County District Court, overseen by Hsieh's father[2].
Will It Hold Up in Court?
The legitimacy and enforceability of the will remain unclear. Counsel representing Hsieh's estate has raised doubts in court documents, arguing that Hsieh, who was rumored to have been addicted to nitrous oxide, might have lacked the mental capacity required to execute the will[2].
However, the appearance of the will may challenge the ongoing probate case, delaying the distribution of Hsieh's assets under the assumption that he died intestate[2].
Will the Courts Uphold the Will?
The validity and enforceability of the will are under scrutiny as the courts examine Hsieh's mental state during the signing process and apply the relevant probate laws of Clark County District Court[2]. If deemed legitimate, it could redefine the distribution of Hsieh's colossal fortune and his lasting impact on downtown Las Vegas.
- Tony Hsieh's unexpected will, which surfaced on Thursday, dated back to March 13, 2015, and details the distribution of his estimated $840 million fortune, as well as his Las Vegas properties.
- The will outlines a trust for Hsieh's assets, with monetary donations designated for institutions like Harvard University and the American Red Cross.
- The will was found among the personal effects of Pir Muhammad, who served as a co-executor, unaware of Hsieh's death in 2020 due to Alzheimer's.
- Hsieh's will could potentially alter the ongoing legal battle over the administration of his estate, as initial reports claimed he died intestate.
- The legitimacy of the will is under question, with counsel for Hsieh's estate arguing that Hsieh, who had a history of erratic behavior and was rumored to be addicted to nitrous oxide, might not have had the mental capacity to execute the will.
- The validity and enforceability of the will are being evaluated by the Clark County District Court, with implications for distribution of Hsieh's wealth and his impact on downtown Las Vegas's entertainment, casino-and-gambling, and other industries.
