New York – Leona Helmsley, the late real estate developer, left the bulk of her $4 billion estate to charity, giving $12 million to her Maltese dog, Trouble, and nothing to two of her grandchildren.
Four grandchildren will receive $5 million each, according to her will. Grandson Craig Panzirer and granddaughter Meegan Panzirer are left nothing, “for reasons which are known to them,” according to the document, which was made public Tuesday in New York Surrogate’s Court.
Helmsley, dubbed the “Queen of Mean,” had more than $3 billion in stocks and bonds and more than $1 billion in limited liability corporations and partnerships, the will said.
Her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, will receive $5 million outright and $10 million in a trust. She left $100,000 to a chauffeur.
Two of her grandchildren, David Panzirer and Walter Panzirer, will receive their $5 million only if they visit their late father’s grave once a year, “preferably on the anniversary of my said son’s death,” Helmsley said in the will.
Helmsley left the $12 million in a trust for Trouble, her female dog, which will be buried next to Helmsley in her mausoleum when she dies. She left Trouble to Rosenthal.
Helmsley also directed that her mausoleum be meticulously maintained. She left $3 million for its landscaping and upkeep, including that it be “acid washed or steam cleaned at least once a year.”
