French Town Receives Ten Million Euros Inheritance from a Stranger Just Because of Same Name

In a small town in the Normandy region of France, a recent unexpected donation of 10 million euros (10.25 million US dollars) inheritance from a wealthy stranger who had never visited the town before has left the residents both astonished and delighted. This generous sum amounts to five times the town’s annual budget, creating a wave of excitement among the locals.

The town, named Thiberville, is home to just 1,773 residents. According to a report by the UK’s The Guardian, the townspeople were surprised to learn that an elderly man named Roger Thiberville, who had never set foot in the town during his lifetime, bequeathed a significant sum of 10 million euros to the town upon his passing.

Thiberville, who lived in Paris before his death, hailed from an affluent family of vineyard owners and inherited a substantial fortune from his parents, including four properties in the 15th district of Paris. The 15th district is known for its high population density and relatively good public safety.

At the age of 91, Thiberville passed away last August without any heirs to inherit his wealth. He chose to leave the majority of his estate to the town of Thiberville, sharing his wealth with the community that shares his name.

Mayor Guy Paris of Thiberville expressed astonishment and joy at this unexpected windfall, which amounts to five times the town’s annual budget, surpassing their expectations. The town officials are still considering how to best utilize the funds but assure that they will do so responsibly.

Paris stated, “We won’t spend all the money at once. We will manage this inheritance with caution and responsibility, similar to how we handle the municipal budget.”

The town had previously taken out a loan to construct a school and still owes the bank 400,000 euros (410,000 US dollars), making this unexpected inheritance a welcome relief. As a public entity, the town government is not required to pay any inheritance tax.

Paris mentioned that Thiberville’s sole request in his will was to have his ashes interred in the local cemetery. He added, “Thiberville didn’t ask for anything in return, but at the very least, we owe him this final wish.”

Thiberville, though unassuming with just a late 19th-century castle and a defunct ribbon factory, is no different from other towns in the Normandy region.

The nearest notable attraction to Thiberville is a grand cathedral in Lisieux, opened in the 1950s, located 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of the town.

Following Thiberville’s substantial inheritance, residents of the neighboring villages of Le Planquay and La Chapelle-Hareng may feel a twinge of regret as these places had previously declined to merge with Thiberville, thereby missing out on a share of the inheritance.