Leona Helmsley's pampered Maltese 'Trouble', who inherited $12million from the real estate billionaire, has died at the age of 12.
That's 84 in dog years.
Helmsley, who died in 2007, cut two grandchildren out of her will and evicted her son's widow after his death, left part of her fortune to the dog - although a judge later reduced it to $2million.
And she even wanted the pooch buried with her in the 12,000-square-foot family mausoleum at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Westchester County, New York.
However this was not to be.
Stephen Byelick, a member of the cemetery's board, said: 'You cannot bury pets in a cemetery. The same rules apply to mausoleums.'
A spokesman for the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel in Sarasotam, Florida, where Trouble lived out the rest of her days in style, said: 'Trouble was cremated, and her remains are being privately retained.
'The funds held in trust for her care have reverted to The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust for charitable purposes.'
Trouble retired to Florida in 2007 shortly after Helmsley's death and was cared for by Carl Lekic, the general manager of hotel.
Mr Lekic said he could manage on $100,000 a year: $8,000 for grooming, $1,200 for food and the rest for his fee and a full-time security guard.
Security was necessary as Trouble had received 20 to 30 death and kidnapping threats.
The pooch had a life of luxury after being bought at a Kennel Club pet shop on Lexington Ave, New York, and was brought to her new home in a Mercedes-Benz stretch limo. Trouble, who was always immaculately dressed, accompanied Helmsley everywhere and was no stranger to Helmsley's private jet when she travelled to her homes around the U.S.
A source told the New York Daily News the dog was bought for her 'to help Leona get over her grief over Harry's death.'
Helmsley left $3million for the upkeep of her final resting place where she is buried with her husband, Harry , who died in 2007.
Helmsley, who died in her Connecticut home became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname 'the Queen of Mean' after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion.
One employee had quoted her as saying: 'Only the little people pay taxes.'
She served 18 months in federal prison on tax evasion charges in the early 1990s.
Posts
