Billionaire leaves $12b inheritance to pet while excluding son's kids

New York: Convicted of tax evasion, Leona Helmsley was famous for saying, "Only the little people pay taxes". But the late property and hotel billionaire has proved not nearly so contemptuous of little dogs.

Trouble, her pet white Maltese, will continue to live in the lap of luxury after being left a $12 million (Dh44.8 million) trust fund in her owner's will.

Trouble, a former Helmsley advertising star and a dog with a track record of biting members of staff, came out significantly better than nearly all of Helmsley's family in the will.

Two of the so-called Queen of Mean's grand-children received nothing.

Helmsley, who died this month aged 87 at her home in Connecticut, also stipulated that Trouble should eventually be buried beside her in the Helmsley mausoleum.

Companion

This is by no means the only eccentric item in the will, although the dog, who observers say was Helmsley's constant companion, does seem to dominate her thoughts. Alvin Rosenthal, her brother, was also left millions - on condition that he cares for Trouble in Helmsley's absence.

Two of the billionaire's four grandchildren from her late son, Jay Panzirer, were left $5 million (Dh18.7 million) each, but only on condition they visit their father's grave once each calendar year.

Helmsley left nothing to Panzirer's other children, Craig and Meegan Panzirer, for "reasons that are known to them", she wrote.

It is not the first time that Helmsley, who had a reputation for spite, has been less than generous to her family. After her son died intestate in 1982, she sued to claim most of his estate, leaving her four grandchildren with just $432 apiece.

"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will.