Mystery will may reveal Zappos founder’s final wishes

The Wall Street Journal reports that a recently discovered will indicates that Tony Hsieh, the late co-founder of Zappos, had specific plans for his $1.2 billion estate, contrary to previous beliefs that he had not left any instructions before his death.

Dated 2015 and submitted in a recent court filing, the document includes a noteworthy no-contest clause aimed at Hsieh’s family members: if any of them disputes his wishes, none will receive any inheritance. The will also designates over $50 million and multiple Las Vegas properties to undisclosed trusts linked to beneficiaries he wanted to surprise.

Interestingly, Hsieh also set aside $3 million for Harvard University, his alma mater. This comes at a time when Harvard is facing challenges from the Trump administration, which has halted federal funding and is scrutinizing the university’s endowment.

The discovery of the will adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle over Hsieh’s estate following his tragic death in a house fire in November 2020 at the age of 46. Hsieh reportedly crafted the will to provide a “WOW factor” for the beneficiaries, aiming for them to experience a sense of wonder and excitement in their lives.