Leona Helmsely, the Queen of Mean, passed away on August 20 at the age of 87. Helmsely is most famous for her quote, “Only the little people pay taxes.” She served 18 months in federal prison for tax evasion in 1989. Her 14-page will was made public on Tuesday and it looks like the big winner was her dog.
Trouble, Helmsley’s tiny white Maltese, will be cared for from a $12 million trust. No doubt about it, that is one rich bitch! Helmsley’s brother, Alvin Rosenthal, will get $10 million and will take care of Trouble until she dies, at which time she will be buried beside Helmsley and her husband, Harry Helmsley, in a five-star mausoleum that will be maintained with a $3 million perpetual-care trust.
The other big winners, David and Walter Panzirer, sons of her late son, Jay Panzirer, will get $5 million each but only if they visit their father’s grave once a year. To ensure that they meet their annual requirement, Helmsley ordered a guest book installed inside the family mausoleum. Helmsely’s chauffeur will receive $100,000.
The biggest losers: “I have not made any provisions in this will for my grandson Craig Panzirer or my granddaughter Meegan Panzirer for reasons which are known to them.”
Queen of Mean to the very end.
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