(UNILAD) - A small town in France is now over $10 million richer thanks to one hell of an inheritance.
But it hadn't suddenly struck oil or become Europe's new hub for 'white gold' - instead, it inherited it from a man who had never even visited the town.
The man in question who donated almost all of his fortune was Roger Thiberville, who died at the age of 91 in August, 2024.
Roger had no children or close relatives to leave his millions to, so he decided to give it all to a small french town with less than 2,000 residents. Why this town, though?
Because it bares Roger's surname: Thiberville.
Thiberville is located in Normandy, northern France, and since Roger - a meteorologist from Paris - had noone to bequeath his millions to, he felt the town was deserving of €10 million ($10.2 million) - even though he'd never even been.
Understandably, the Mayor of Thiberville thought it was a joke when he first got the news of the inheritance.
"We all thought it was a practical joke to begin with," Guy Paris told The Times of when he received the call about the funds last year. "Then the notary said that he wanted to meet us, so I realised it was true — it’s exceptional for a small community," he went on.
"It was only after a meeting with the deputy prefect and the head of the tax department of Eure [the local area] that we got the details of the legacy. It was a lovely surprise just before Christmas."
Apparently the town is €400,000 in debt, so Roger's money will help it clear that.
Going on to share what else they'll do with the late multi-millionaire's money, Guy said: "We won’t have to raise taxes and that means a better quality of life.
"We want to create a public park, renovate the primary school and the roof of the church, and build a football pitch. There’ll be a whole set of actions to improve local life and help local businesses."
There's also hopes of building a new fire station and care home.
If you're wondering how a humble meteorologist like Roger ended up with so much money, it's because of his family.
The late scientist came from a wine-making family and had inherited money both from his parents and from his sister.
There were no conditions that came with Roger's large donation to Thiberville, but the mayor said that the 91-year-old will have a memorial erected in his honor.
By Niamh Shackleton
January 13,2025
