4. Leona Helmsley left more money for her dog than for her grandchildren
When Leona Helmsley – known as the Queen of Mean for her tyrannical behavior to servants and employees – was on trial for income tax evasion in 1989, a former employee testified having heard her say, “We don’t pay taxes; only the little people pay taxes”. Helmsley, over the course of her career, made a fortune through four marriages (two to Joseph Lubin, a wealthy garment executive) and finally through the hotel and condominium empire she ran with her husband, Harry Helmsley. When Harry’s son died in 1982, Leona had his widow evicted from the property which she (Leona) owned, and successfully sued the estate for money which she claimed to have lent the deceased. By the time the Helmsley’s were charged with tax evasion in the 1980s Harry was ruled to be too ill to stand trial.
Leona was convicted and eventually served nineteen months in prison after the lengthy trial and appeals process was completed. Upon her release in 1994 she became a near recluse, withdrawing even further after Harry died in 1997. She died ten years later, and in her will most of her estate was left to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (more than $4 billion) with the proviso that the money be used for the care of dogs. She left another $12 million for the care of her own dog, a Maltese named Trouble. In comparison, two of her four grandchildren received $10 million and the other two received nothing. Legal actions by various entities involved led to a finding in 2008 that Leona was not of sound mind when she executed her will, and the estate was adjusted by the court.