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Queen of Mean's Billions Go to the Dogs

With $8B, Helmsley trust will dwarf all animal charities

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 2, 2008 5:09 AM CDT

(Newser) – Leona Helmsley made headlines last year for leaving $12 million to her dog while stiffing two of her grandchildren. But the pooch's payday looks like small change compared to the bonanza in store for America's dogs, the New York Times reports. A charitable trust being built with the late hotel tycoon's assets will have up to $8 billion to spend on canine welfare.

The windfall is estimated to be worth at least 10 times the assets of all of America's animal charities combined. The executors of Helmsley's "mission statement"—which may not hold up in court—are looking into ways to broaden the charitable trust's scope while staying true to the original intention. The billionaire had planned a trust helping both needy people and dogs, the Times reports—but later decided to give it all to the dogs.

Leona Helmsley and her dog Trouble photographed in Leona Helmsley's Park Lane Hotel apartment. Friday, January 31, 2003 in New York. (AP Photo/Jennifer Graylock)

Leona Helmsley, is shown in this Jan. 28, 2003, file photo in New York. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano, File)

Leona Helmsley and her dog Trouble photographed in Leona Helmsley's Park Lane Hotel apartment in 2003. (AP Photo/Jennifer Graylock)

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Queen of Mean's Billions Go to the Dogs

With $8B, Helmsley trust will dwarf all animal charities

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Queen of Mean's Billions Go to the Dogs

With $8B, Helmsley trust will dwarf all animal charities

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

will • inheritance • Leona Helmsley • dog • animal shelters

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Millionaire Dog May Have to Fight for Her Biscuits

World's richest pooch already faces lawsuit

Helmsley Cash Doesn't Have to Go to Dogs

Judge nixes late Queen of Mean's mission statement

Judge to Helmsley's Dog: Let Go of That

Pooch must scrape by on $2M; snubbed grandkids cash in

Death Threats Drive Heiress Dog Into Hiding

Helmsley's $12M pooch flees to undisclosed location in Fla.

Helmsley's Heir Is the Dog

Queen of Mean leaves $12M to Trouble, a bunch to charity, ignores 2 grandkids

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