Leona Helmsley Leaves Billions To Dogs

NY Times: Late Hotel Queen Wants $5B-$8B Trust Used For Care And Welfare Of Pooches

(CBS)  The late New York hotel queen Leona Helmsley left a two-page "mission statement" that specifies that practically her entire trust, valued between $5 billion and $8 billion, be used for the care and welfare of dogs, The New York Times reports.

The newspaper, citing two unidentified sources, said Helmsley indicated in 2003 that the money should go to poor people and dogs. A year later, the sources said, she dropped poor people from the list.

The "mission statement" is not part of her will, but the Times reports the law favors remaining faithful to the donor's intent. That means the trustees of the fortune may have difficulty ignoring her wishes, though that has already happened in at least one instance.

Manhattan Surrogate Judge Renee Roth reduced the trust fund for Helmsley's personal dog, "Trouble," from $12 million to $2 million.

The 9-year-old Maltese lives in Florida with Carl Lekic, the general manager of the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel. Helmsley died last August.

The New York Post said Lekic put Trouble's annual cost at $190,000. That figure includes Lekic's $60,000 guardian fee, $100,000 for security, $8,000 for grooming, $3,000 for miscellaneous expenses, $1,200 for food and 2,500 to $18,000 for medical care.

The Post also that Judge Roth also gave $6 million to Helmsley's two disinherited grandchildren.

Roth's decision was made April 30, but only became public last month.

[victoriaraft]

its unbelievable that this woman would do this....she has grandchildren & great grandchildren...plus there are so many other children in need...she is just a vengeful b--ch to the end.....some moron taking care of the dog will reap the benifits...

[libsluv2spit]

and its pretty much typical..these cbs liberal nutjobs are jealous of a dog..well cant blame them..it has more class and money than they do

[sahayes3]

It is truly disheartening and a sad testament to see comments against Leona Helmsley%u2019s trust being devoted to her intended beneficiaries. It is a fundamental right of any American citizen to decide upon their own philanthropic areas of interest, period. We live in a nation that permits us to accumulate wealth and we should all have a vested interest in supporting and furthering philanthropic giving to advance all aspects of our society %u2013 including animal welfare. It is insular for some to feel they have the right to criticize this act of kindness and compassion because the area of interest is not their first choice. When you write your will you can decide where you will be leaving your legacy- or will you be leaving one at all?
We should be cheering Leona Helmsley regardless of personality or public perception, for her generosity and the colossal impact that can be made for the millions of suffering dogs in this world. The welfare of animals is not an illogical cause and shame on you to those that cannot see that pain and suffering is real and felt regardless of species.
There is absolutely no reason that the animal welfare movement should not be able to carry out its mission with the same fortitude as any other cause or social issue. Choosing to make a transforming, positive impact on those that suffer at the hands of man is noble and will inevitably advance our society as a whole.

[blackyowe]

It does not bother me that is for sure.

[sgtrds-e4]

Why should this bother anyone? It was her money and leaving it to the care and shelter of dogs is a noble bequest. It''s certainly an area that is horribly underfunded. People like Bill Gates, the Rockefellers, the Fords, etc., already have programs that help poor people, so it''s about time we see some of the same toward helping helpless dogs.

[ubrew12]

Take care of people, and the people will take care of dogs.

Take care of dogs, and the dogs will eat the people.

Helmsley was perfectly consistent to the end. Good riddance, b*tch.

Signed, a human

[keithle1]

What a stupid crazy old broad. More money than sense.
Old ladies & their yappy little dogs. Dressing them up in sweaters when it gets cold. Pushing them around in strollers. Saw that the other day. Dog was behind a mesh thing so the bugs/flies wouldn''t get at him. Woman''s male friend trotting dutifully behind her. Oy vey. Holding the dog like it''s a baby. Dog eats better than some people.

The older women get the nuttier they get.

Get a life!

[sgtrds-e4]

"there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death."

This is the part that gets to me.............

[sgtrds-e4]

"...but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster."

This is where I start crying. I can''''t take it!

Posted by erasmus81 at 06:50 PM : Jul 02, 2008

I know. Even a cynical old atheist like myself tears up a bit too.

[erasmus81]

"...but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster."

This is where I start crying. I can''t take it!

[erasmus81]

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 05:42 PM : Jul 02, 2008

Geez thanks, SgtRDS-E4, for reminding me of this story. I got this with my hedgehog''s ashes. I cried my eyes out for 2 days after reading it.

[sgtrds-e4]

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[sgtrds-e4]

"Gentlemen of the jury, a man''s dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master''s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

"If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death."

[sgtrds-e4]

George Graham Vest speaking:

"Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us -- those whom we trust with our happiness and good name -- may become traitors in their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man''s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world -- the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous -- is his dog.

[element51]

SgtRDS....Sounds like you and I are in the same place about our dogs. I have had dogs all my life and every one of them loved me when no one else did. There were times when I was alone and they were always there for me. The hardest thing was having to see them die but I am willing to endure that. I have four dogs and they are like family members to me. They each have their own personality and I also have a sandwich theif. People may think I''m crazy but I would not take a million dollars for any one of them. And I think you are right....dogs are, in many ways, preferable to people. I''ve never been bitten by a dog but was once bit by a human.

[dmotte]

Why don''t you people leave the old deceased witch alone. It was her money and if a judge strays from her wishes with the money, he should be shot and buried.

[element51]

This was a lady who treated people terribly. She was nasty and mean. But she was rich and she had a right to do whatever she wanted with her money. Many of you don''t seem to understand that she left the money to animal shelters, not just a few dogs. There is a big problem in this country with stray animals and it costs a lot of money to operate a shelter, especially a no kill shelter. This would do so much to help keep the shelters open so they can continue their work. We have an obligation to care for animals and there are many shelters out there who do not have the funding they need to continue. I think it is a miracle that this money will become available to continue that funding. This was her money and NO judge should be able to go against her wishes. We aren''t rich but we take food to the shelter when we can afford to. The animals give unconditional love and the least we can do is help them. Thank you Leona for this wonderful thing you have done. You have redemed yourself in my eyes. If you loved animals that much you couldn''t be all bad.

[sgtrds-e4]

Sgt: no offence,but when the life of a dog is worth more than a human life, then obviously you have been embitttered by how humans have treated you, and you are just retaliating.

Posted by jankebenz at 02:50 PM : Jul 02, 2008

I still don''t see where you get "bitter" out of that? Most dogs really are better then most human beings by their nature. Dogs are more loyal, loving, faithful, etc. That has nothing to do with being bitter or looking down on people, it''s just the truth.

[jankebenz]

Nothing bitter about it at all. I love my dogs. I have no relationship with the stranger, so it''''d be much more natural for me to save my dog over a stranger. How you get "bitter" out of that is beyond me or anyone else.

Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 12:58 PM : Jul 02, 2008

Sgt: no offence,but when the life of a dog is worth more than a human life, then obviously you have been embitttered by how humans have treated you, and you are just retaliating.Putting ones faith and trust in other humans will invariably fail.

[mjpenterprises]

go figure it is a living proof that you dont need brains to make money there is so many poor children and elderly that could have benefited from some little help but DOGS !?!?! i own a kennel and the last thing i want is to see any more band aid solution to the dog problem look at the source of the problems and deal with them is what i am all about(but that would make to much sense )