Queen Of Mean Not So Mean
 Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 by Connie T.
Leona Helmsley, once dubbed the "Queen of Mean," is still giving, nearly
two years after her death at the age of 87. Although, for the pooches, it's not
as much as intended.
Helmsley had amended her will to include $136 million
in grants to charitable causes. $136 million...that's no small number! Although she
specified that this money go to care for dogs, a New York judge ruled that the funds
can also go to many other types of charities, for humans as well as animals.
Her grandchildren
testified that Leona was not mentally competent when she changed her will, and a judge last
year cut Leona's own dog Trouble's $12 estate to $2 million, splitting the difference among
the disowned grandchildren.
It wasn't just Trouble that got awarded dough, though; as
Leona intended, for "purposes related to the provision of care for dogs," monies will go to
charities that train dogs for the blind and deaf, as well as nine other canine care organizations. And
for the people, $40 will go to doctors and the improvement of medical technology, $2 million will
go to provide food for the needy in South Africa, and Mount Sinai will receive a new center
for the bowel disease program.
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