While Leona Helmsley was known for being mean, she also had a knack for being nuts and dressing up like The Joker (albeit unintentionally). Billionaire Helmsley, who died last year, cemented her legacy by disinheriting grandchildren and leaving $12 million to her 9-year-old Maltese, Trouble.A Manhattan judge recently opted to reduce the canine's trust fund in a rare victory for common sense. Now, $10 million will go to charity, while Trouble will receive a paltry $2 million to cover expenses for the rest of its life.
Carl Lekic, Trouble's caretaker and general manager of the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel in Florida, agrees with the decision. He estimates the $2 million will be more than enough to cover annual expenses, which include a $60,000 guardian fee, $100,000 for security, $8,000 for grooming, $3,000 for miscellaneous expenses, $1,200 for food and $2,500-$18,000 for medical care.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans continue to struggle to get along without health care, making this still one of the most depressing stories you can possibly read. Congratulations Leona, still kicking us in the doodle dandy from beyond the grave.
Check out what we think celebs should leave their dogs after the jump.
Amanda Seyfried -- Todays Crush
Attending the premiere of "Mamma Mia!" at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City.
Jim Spellman, WireImage.com
Shown on the cover of a poster for "Mamma Mia!" the movie.
Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
Plays Sophie in "Mamma Mia!"
Universal
As Sophie in "Mamma Mia!" alongside her character's mother played by Meryl Streep.
Universal
As Karen in "Mean Girls".
Paramount
At Kari Feinstein's Style Lounge.
John Sciulli, WireImage.com
As Samantha in "Nine Lives".
Magnolia Pictures
Attending the Los Angeles premiere of "Alpha Dog".
L. Cohen, WireImage.com
As Julie Beckley in "Alpha Dog".
Universal
Attending the Los Angeles Premiere of "Thief."
Jesse Grant, WireImage.com


























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Comments:
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Monday 16 June
By Logan
Ding Dong the witch is dead, i worked for her in the early 80's
Reply
Monday 16 June
By Earl Bailey
Just another example of the massive imbalance of wealth in America. We can't change the mindset because a major political party has attached itself to it and seems to think that we all could achieve such if we worked hard enough! You could work night and day all of your life and would not overcome the way they have stacked the books against you! Theirs is an exclusive club, kept alive by the archaic beliefs of the aformentioned political party!
Reply
Tuesday 17 June
By Phartin Often
Hmmm.........Let's see if I understand this. If you make 100,000 a year and I make 12,000 a year.......you should give me some of your money? Cool idea.......want my address? Another liberal idiot.
Monday 16 June
By WTF
Wow okay
"a deal to pay the late billionaire's two disinherited grandchildren $6 million "
"Craig Panzirer, 40, and Meegan Panzirer Wesolko, 37,"
"Those alterations include Panzirer receiving a tax-free $4 million bequest and Wesolko a tax-free $2 million bequest. The estate will also cover their legal fees, the deal says.
Their two other brothers, Walter and David, see their $10 million bequests from Helmsley reduced to $9.5 million, while Helmsley's brother, Alvin Rosenthal, has his $15 million inheritance cut by $1 million.
Panzirer and Wesolko agreed not to ever speak publicly concerning their disputes and to turn over all their financial and legal documents related to their grandmother's affairs. "
Reply
Monday 16 June
By missimin
It was her money and her will. A will shouldn't be broken no matter how strange the bequest appears. The dog should have the 12 million until he passes then the left over can go to charity but not before.
Reply
Monday 16 June
By ej
oh come on...this woman was mean to her own son before he died! he was treated so poorly by leona that, as his widow said;"it was a relief for him to die and get away from her." this woman in for all intents and purpose did not leave her grandchildren any part of her money because they were the smart ones and refused to bow to her petty and shelfish demands.
her will was done not for philanthropic reasons but plain spite.
don't forget leona is the one who coined the phrase: "only the little people pay taxes."
deal with the reality: if it happened to you-you would be the first in line at the lawyer's office.
Tuesday 17 June
By superskinnerkid
I agree with missimin. Regardless of how evil the woman was it is still her money and should go exactly where she demanded. No one should have any authority over it until the dog is dead.
Wednesday 18 June
By maria
i totally agree missimin....a Will is a Will and no one has a right to negate it!!! (Seems the laws change daily in the USA these days, ya noticed?)
Tuesday 17 June
By kittylovessardines
I totally agree with you on this one no matter how kooky it might seem to some. It was her money to do with as she wished. And apparently she went through all the legal avenues to see that the money was bequeathed to whom SHE wished. What is the point in a legally binding document if it can be changed anyway. What country are we living in? Isn't this the land of the free. I should have the freedom to leave my money to my DOG if I want to and it should be FINAL!!
Monday 16 June
By Marcus
I had forgotten just how butt ugly Star Jones is.
Reply
Monday 16 June
By Michael Coleman
maybe the little brats dont deserve the money.
Reply
Monday 16 June
By Bill Wynne
I resent your flambouyent use of Doodle Dandy for two Reasons.
One-- it has honored history going back to the French Indian War when the English called the ragtag band of colonists Yankees and later`added Doodle Dandys.( later YANKEES and YANKS) This continued from the Revolution. The colonists picked it up as a term of honor and humor ,it has been with us ever since. My war dog "SMOKY" (WIKIPEDIA) considered by some as the later greatest Dog in History is known as "YORKIE DOODLE DANDY " The 4 lbs yorkie was honored at the WESTMINSTER this year and has six nationwide memorials. Bill
Reply
Monday 16 June
By jay love
First of all...this money, ALL of it, was her and her late husbands to do with exactly how they wished to do with it. It was earned honestly, (despite what some may feel about her personality) and Harry Helmsley loved his wife emmensly till his death bed. He knew exactly what he wanted done with it and left it up to himself and his wife. The dogs money should stay as was intended and the grandchildren were disinherited for reasons best known to Mrs. Helmsley, that should be respected. And lastly, as Leon said, All of her and Harry's money was to go to chairty once she died, which is where she left the bulk of her money...TO CHARITY!! she took nothing with her to heaven or hell and thousands, possibly millions of people will now benefit from their generosity and good graces. People should have a little bit of respect for her wishes based on that alone. she could have left it all to a prostitute had she wanted to?
Reply
Monday 16 June
By Jay
Oh please, Leona was prosecuted for saying something that was simply THE TRUTH!!! "Only the little people pay taxes." You bet you a- pole that only the little people do pay the most in taxes, its the truth basically. She was prosecuted by the IRS and government to make an example out of her to scare the "little people" so they would not get any ideas of not paying taxes! Leona may have in part disinherited her grandchildren out of spite, I dont know as I was not in her head? But the fact remains that long before her late husband passed away, both he and her settled the question of where his money from his estate was to go to after his and then her death. Believe it or not, Harry Helmsley was not a stupid man. He knew exactly where and how he wanted to leave his money and how it was to be used in the end. leona Helmsley did not even have the power to change the direction of the bulk of HIS assets which were earned greatly before she even married him? Due to their great sacrifice and hard work that money will now benefit many charities and help countless people for years to come, possibly in perpetuity as the interest alone will go to most of the charities?? People should not judge what they dont understand.
Reply
Tuesday 17 June
By jazac888
the number of rich people who will their dogs is just sick. glad the judge gave the cash to charity. they shouldn't have even left it 2 million. the law is meant to govern humans, not their animals. any idea how many starving children 12 million will feed? heartless b*stards.
Reply
Tuesday 17 June
By Eliabeth
Why does a dog need security??? I mean is there a hit out on this dog or something? I think my dogs live on 1000 bucks a year for food and vet bills. And they are fine. They are DOGS not children.
Reply
Tuesday 17 June
By MAVERICK
GIVE ME THE MONEY. SCREW THE MUT.
Reply
Tuesday 17 June
By cathy sorrentino
With so many people needing help why couldn't she have left the dog with someone to care for her?? I love dogs, I have 2 shitzhus myself but I certainly would nodt leave my money ) if I had any ) to the dogs. I would find someone to care for them and love them but not at that cost. Feed the children and help the abused ones. God would have loved her more even though she was known to be the mean one.
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Tuesday 17 June
By Richard
I don't know of Leona Helmsley except what I have read but I would be very concerned that a person wishes are not honored. What was the purpose of her will and her wishes to honored if a jugde will come along later and over turn them. This should be a wake up call for everyone. I don't think it is right.
Reply
Tuesday 17 June
By punkinjr
I had a judge who released my guaranteed structured settlement and it in turn was stolen. I gave up my job to get the settlement and it was out of court and a judge had no business touching it or letting anyone else touch it. Now I am out of a job, totally disabled and unable to support myself, but our government doesn't care. That dog should have ben able to spend every dime of it if it wanted to as those were her last wishes not some Judge who thinks he is God. That judge should go to jail for life or he pays back the 12 mil. Screw him. Who picks the Charity. I am a charity that needs a couple hundred thousand and I will be paid back. Send it to me, Judge! I can prove it.