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December 2, 2008 9:01:36 AM CST

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Leona Helmsley

Leona Helmsley news stories

7 Stories

Opinion

It's Our Tax Money Going to Helmsley's Dogs

Charitable donation laws subsidize the whims of the rich

New York Times New York Times Jul 9, 08 8:27 AM CDT
(Newser) - Leona Helmsley’s latest post-mortem shocker—the revelation that she earmarked $8 billion of her charitable bequest for dog welfare—is a perfect illustration of the insanity of our charity laws, writes Ray Madoff for the New York Times . Helmsley isn’t just spending her own money; because charitable donations are tax-free, the government is essentially subsidizing her whims to the tune of $3.6 billion. More »

More about:  dog • charity • Leona Helmsley • estate tax • tax dodge • Trouble

Queen of Mean's Billions Go
to the Dogs

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

New York Times New York Times Jul 2, 08 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. More »

More about:  dog • inheritance • will • animal shelters • Leona Helmsley

Judge to Helmsley's Dog: Let Go of That

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

New York Post New York Post Jun 16, 08 2:09 PM CDT
(Newser) - Leona Helmsley’s dog, Trouble, turns out not to need that $12 million trust fund after all. The world's most spoiled Maltese will manage on $2 million, and the rest will go to charity, the New York Post reports. More »

More about:  dog • court • inheritance • Leona Helmsley

Death Threats Drive Heiress Dog Into Hiding

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

Times (UK) Times (UK) Dec 3, 07 3:56 PM CST
(Newser) - When the Queen of Mean left her pampered pooch $12 million, it only spelled trouble for Trouble. Leona Helmsley's spoiled Maltese, whose annual upkeep bills run to $300,000, was forced to flee her Connecticut estate after a flood of death and abduction threats by blackmailers hungry for the dog’s moolah, the London Times reports. More »

More about:  dog • inheritance • Leona Helmsley

Millionaire Dog May Have to Fight for Her Biscuits

World's richest pooch already faces lawsuit

New York Times New York Times Sep 3, 07 5:09 PM CDT
(Newser) - When billionaire hotelier Leona Helmsley bequeathed $12 million to her pooch before she died last month, it's a good thing she left the eight-year-old Maltese enough to hire  a good lawyer. Trouble, who was inseparable from the 'Queen of Mean' when she was alive, and had a propensity to bite anyone who came near her, will have to stave off people who are already lining up to get a piece of her, ahem, fortune. More »

More about:  lawsuit • dog • pets • inheritance • will • Leona Helmsley

Helmsley's Heir Is the Dog

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

New York Post New York Post Aug 29, 07 1:16 PM CDT
(Newser) - When the Queen of Mean’s will was read, Trouble, the billionaire hotel magnate’s pampered, biting Maltese, came calling. Leona Helmsley left $12 million to the 8-year-old pooch, along with $38 million to three other family members. The rest—between $4 and $8 billion—went to her charity trust, the New York Post reports. Helmsley dissed two other grandkids, “for reasons which are known to them.”  More »

More about:  dog • pets • charity • billionaire • will • Leona Helmsley • Trouble

Hotelier Helmsley Dead at 87

'Queen of Mean' learns certainty of death, if not taxes

New York Daily News New York Daily News Aug 20, 07 1:21 PM CDT
(Newser) - Leona Helsmley, the notoriously tyrannical real-estate baroness dubbed New York’s “Queen of Mean,” died of heart failure today at 87. The Brooklyn native took the reins of her husband Harry's real-estate empire in the 70s, and soon her name was synonymous with both luxe hotels and the churlish, hard-nosed style of public figuredom she helped forge. More »

More about:  obituary • New York • real estate • tax evasion • Leona Helmsley • Empire State Building

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