7 Sep, 2007
Helmsley's dog gets $12 million, but she leaves 2 grandchildren zilch
NEW YORK (AP) - Leona Helmsley's dog will continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in her mausoleum in Westchester. But two of Helmsley's grandchildren got nothing from the late luxury hotelier and real estate billionaire's estate.
Helmsley left her beloved white Maltese, named Trouble, a $12 million trust fund, according to her will.
She also left millions for her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, who was named to care for Trouble in her absence, as well as two of four grandchildren from her late son Jay Panzirer - so long as they visit their father's grave site once each calendar year.
Otherwise, she wrote, neither will get a penny of the $5 million she left for each.
Helmsley left nothing to two of Jay Panzirer's other children - Craig and Meegan Panzirer - for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote.
But no one made out better than Trouble, who once appeared in ads for the Helmsley Hotels, and lived up to its name by biting a housekeeper.
"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will.
The mausoleum, she ordered, must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." She left behind $3 million for the upkeep of her final resting place, in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where she is buried with her husband, Harry Helmsley, and where the pair have a view of the New York skyline. Her son Jay Panzirer is also buried in the cemetery.
Helmsley died Aug. 20 at her Greenwich, Conn., home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."
Lucky Dog!
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NLT)
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the future inheritance waiting for God's children?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
1:4 The Jews had looked forward to an inheritance in the Promised Land of Canaan (Numbers 32:19; Deuteronomy 2:12; 19:8). Although the nation had received that right of inheritance, eventually they defiled their faith through the influence of foreign nations. The people's sins had caused the promise to become only a fading memory. Christians now look forward to another inheritance, a "priceless" inheritance - eternal life in the eternal city of God. God has reserved the inheritance; it will never fade or decay; it will be unstained by sin. The best part is that you have an inheritance if you have trusted Christ as your Savior.
Today's story about the hotel tycoon leaving $12 million to her dog is both nuts and sad! It's obvious that this Mrs. Helmsley was angry at her family and spiritually lost. She is now missing out on the heavenly inheritance that God offers those who have received his gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Because Christ's forgiveness is complete, we don't have to wonder if our loving Heavenly Father will suddenly change his mind and kick us out of His "will".
It's far better to be one of God's blessed children than a lucky dog!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Spend some time in prayer just thanking God for His promise of eternal life with Him and that nothing can remove the inheritance He has planned for you.
- When the daily grind and struggles of this earthly life start to get to you - stop and let God remind you of your eternal future.
- Whenever you see some "happy-go-lucky dog" running around, stop and thank God that in Christ, you are in His "will".
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture to others?
- Pray that this bizarre story of the Helmsley dog getting $12 million will cause people to think about life after death.
- Use this story to start a conversation with those in your storysphere who need Jesus. Ask questions like: What do you think Mrs. Helmsley's grand-kids are thinking about getting left out of her will? Do you know if you will inherit anything in some-one's will? May I tell you about what I've learned about my future inheritance?
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