Leona Helmsley, the late United States hotel billionaire known as the 'Queen of Mean', has lived up to her reputation even in death, cutting two grandchildren out of her will and leaving $US12 million ($14.6 million) to her dog.
Trouble, a white Maltese, received the largest bequest from Ms Helmsley's will, which was read out in a New York court on Tuesday.
The will sets aside a trust to care for the pampered pooch, which once starred in advertisements for Ms Helmsley's hotel chain, and also stipulates that the dog be buried beside her and her late husband, Harry, who died in 1997.
The family's luxury mausoleum is to be maintained in perpetuity thanks to a further $US3 million ($3.7 million) trust.
Ms Helmsley, famed for observing that "only the little people pay taxes" and who spent time in jail for tax fraud, died earlier this month aged 87.
She earned herself the sobriquet "the Queen of Mean" for her hard-nosed work ethic, short temper and reputation for cruelty and penny-pinching.
Ms Helmsley was survived by her brother, who received $US10 million ($12 million) and will look after Trouble until the pooch dies, as well as four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The two grandsons who were included in the will received $US5 million each, but only on the proviso that they visit their late father's grave at least once a year.
Her two other grandchildren were cut out "for reasons which are known to them", according to the will.
What a bitch. And I don't mean the dog.
ReplyDeleteWhat does a dog need with $14.6 million anyway?