Leona Helmsley Gives Her Dog $12 Million in Death

Leona Helmsley sure loves Trouble. Trouble, her dog, that is. How much did Helmsley, the hotelier who was known by some as the "Queen of Mean" and passed away last week, love her pooch? Enough to leave the white Maltese $12 million in her will, more than she left four of her grandchildren. In addition to the $12 million trust, when Trouble dies, she'll be buried next to her former owner in the family mausoleum. The dog appeared in ads for the Helmsley Hotels and was usually seen by Helmsley's side in her later years.

Some of the other recipients of monies from the estate include: $10 million for her brother Alvin Rosenthal (who is also caring for the dog); $100,000 for her chauffeur; $5 million for two of her grandchildren provided they visit her late son's grave once a year; $0 for her other two grandchildren "for reasons which are known to them." Clearly, Trouble made out pretty well. She also left $3 million for the upkeep of the family mausoleum where she and her late husband Harry are buried. The rest of Helmsley's assets, including residences and belongings, are to be sold with proceeds given to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. That figure is reportedly in the billions of dollars.

The Daily News has a nice sidebar of other people like tobacco heiress Dorris Duke, Dusty Springfield, Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island," and supposedly Oprah Winfrey, who have left money for their pets.

What now for Trouble? Will she get a dog posse and blow the millions on dog treats and doggie gigolos? And who will Trouble leave the rest of her money to when she's gone? Surely she doesn't have any children to pass along her assets to.

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By tien mao in News on August 29, 2007 11:29 AM

Comments [rss]

guest

Wow ! That's all I can really say . Posted by; "Still Not Amused"

guest

Her dog just married my dog this morning!!!!!

guest

OMG a post regarding animal "defamation" was actually censored..?

guest

Hey, see what would happen if you won the Mega Millions - you'd be paranoid and cynical too , what with all the sycophants and sleazebags suddenly appearing out of the woodwork. As twisted as it may seem initially, it is only just in the grand scheme of things to reward those who provided the most joy and unconditional heart, especially in your waning years...

guest

$0 for her other two grandchildren "for reasons which are known to them."

Actually that phrase is a legal ploy to make a will incontestable. If you disinherit someone and give the reason they can legitimately go to court and try to prove that the reason given was not true. The phrase "reasons which are known to them" is vague and can't really be contested.

qwerty

It's her money. She can do whatever she wants with it. That's the beauty of America.

Leon Freilich

CANINE'S QUEEN

Rail on, you mangy cynics,

Imagining you're above her;

She was right to reward her poochie,

Her only friend--and lover.

guest

Haha! So Leona gets the last laugh. Good for her! It's her cash, she can leave it to anyone or anything she wants. You Go, Leona!

BTW, that's the best headline in the history of front pages.

MarygraceNYC

I am glad that her doggy is going to be taken care of. I worry about the same thing when I die one day. Who will take care of my pups? I don't have her billions.... It really sucks.

Some of us feel that our pets are our extended family... and they are!!

Reflect

Its shit like this that makes me feel Pro Choice is the way to go.

guest

I see my post was deleted, listen I have nothing against dogs or animals. It's the crazy dog owners.

I've never met a dog or cat who didn't like me. NEVER.

Humans, however are another story. I've met some offsprings who had an aversion to me.

ohhleary

This only continues to prove my theory that New Yorkers who own dogs are just plain batsh*t crazy.

robingee

How does an animal have money, exactly? Surely it is in some sort of fund until the dog dies and then it will go to a human. It doesn't mean that the dog will be at Tiffany's buying diamond collars. It's just a sort of statement, like my dog is worth more than my family.

guest

JRod, she left the bulk of her estate to a charitable trust. That may or may not be a good deed depending on which organizations the trust directs money to.

guest

If you guys want to help people but don't have $12 million dollars to give to your dog, I highly recommend orphan.org - help some foster kids!

guest

Goddamn Rich Vos.

janelle

WHAT

JRod5417

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. She left the bulk of her estate to charity. Regardless of her reasons (spite or philanthropy), it's a good deed.

slappy

Stupid in life, stupid in death.

guest

#17, I don't think the IRS taxes inheritances. They tax estates. There is a huge difference. The IRS only comes after the heirs if the estate fails to pay its taxes and all of the money had been disbursed to the heirs.