Leona Helmsley and her
dog Trouble

12 Million Dollar Dog

Associated Press

Trouble is just a poor little rich dog. Although the Maltese inherited $12 million when his owner, Leona Helmsley, the infamous billionaire New York City hotel queen and real estate investor, passed away in August at the age of 87, he may not get much enjoyment out of it.

Not only is Trouble undoubtedly missing his beloved mistress, who believed her deceased husband communicated to her through the dog, kept him beside her constantly, and showered him with affection and expensive clothing, but things just don’t seem to be working out for him.

Despite being promised millions for taking custody of the dog, Alvin Rosenthal, Helmsley’s brother, seems to be unwilling to carry out his role of guardian, so Trouble is passing time in his late owner’s mansion under the care of servants. Perhaps Rosenthal’s reluctance can be traced to complaints from a former member of Helmsley’s staff that the little dog is a tyrant, biting everyone from bodyguards to customers. The woman, who kept house for Helmsley, has a law suit pending against the estate, which, if successful, could take a chunk out of Trouble’s fortune.

Helmsley also specified that the dog, upon passing, be buried beside her in the family mausoleum, with a further $3 million earmarked for the upkeep of the crypt, including yearly steam cleaning. However, even resting forever beside the woman who adored him is likely to be denied the Maltese, as state law forbids animal remains being interred in human cemeteries.

Trouble is probably not getting much sympathy from Helmsley’s grandchildren, as two of them received only $5 million each through the will and the other two were cut out completely from the multi-billion dollar estate.

Although Trouble received the largest individual bequest, the bulk of Helmsley’s estate was left to a charitable trust.