Leona Helmsley is often referred to as the “Queen of Mean”, but her dog might disagree.
During her life, she dressed her Maltese Terrier, Trouble, in pricey outfits, including a diamond collar, and fed him meals prepared by a chef that included steamed vegetables and steamed or grilled chicken or fish that were served in porcelain bowls on a silver tray.
When she died in 2007, the hotel magnate left $12 million in trust for the care of Trouble, and directed that he be buried next to her in the Helmsley mausoleum after he died.
She left the bulk of her $4 billion estate to a charitable trust. By comparison, she left $10 million to her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, and $5 million to each of his two children. She completely disinherited two other grandchildren “for reasons that are known to them.”
After a will contest, the disinherited grandchildren were awarded $6 million, and Trouble’s bequest was reduced to $2 million. That is still one pampered pooch!
