Leona Helmsley The American woman who left 12 million as an inheritance to a dog Date of Birth: 04.07.1920 Country: USA

1. Biography of Leona Helmsley
2. Marriages and Tax Scandals
3. Inheritance and Controversy
4. Unconventional Behavior and Legacy

Biography of Leona Helmsley

Leona Helmsley, born Lena Mindy Rosenthal in 1920 in New York, was an American woman who left behind a $12 million inheritance for her dog. She received a good education and later achieved a remarkable career leap, rising from a simple secretary to a very successful broker.

Marriages and Tax Scandals

Leona was married twice, and her last husband was the beloved Harry Helmsley, a billionaire involved in real estate and construction. They married in 1972, and by that time, Leona was already a well-known figure, particularly due to her tax scandals. It was Leona who famously said, "Only the little people pay taxes." In the 1990s, she faced court proceedings and even spent about a year and a half in prison for tax evasion.

Inheritance and Controversy

After her husband's death in 1997, Leona inherited a significant fortune, but she only lived for another ten years. In 2007, she passed away from heart failure, being known as both the "most talented entrepreneur in the world" and the "biggest miser in the world." Her reputation as a miser stemmed from her notorious stinginess, which had become the stuff of legends.

Unconventional Behavior and Legacy

Leona was a true eccentric who did whatever she wanted in both her financial empire and personal matters. She often disregarded the opinions of others, paying little attention to what people thought of her. While some despised her, others admired her, but ultimately, Leona remained indifferent to both groups.

However, the biggest shock came after her death when her will was made public. It turned out that she had bequeathed a significant portion of her estate, $12 million, to her beloved Maltese dog named Trouble. This decision caused outrage among her relatives, leading to legal battles. Ultimately, Trouble's inheritance was reduced to $2 million, which was still quite substantial.

Leona's posthumous wish was to be buried alongside Trouble, but her relatives did not fulfill this request. When Trouble died at the age of 12, she was laid to rest somewhere other than Leona's mausoleum.

Leona Helmsley's name remains well-known, and her phrase, "Only the little people pay taxes," has become legendary. She will be remembered for her eccentricities and the controversial inheritance she left behind for her beloved dog.