Ben Squires
Retirement Income

8 biggest inheritances left to pets

Pets play an important role in our lives, so when we pass it only makes sense that we’d want to be sure that they’re going to be well taken care of. But maybe these celebs took it a little too far.

We’ve put together a list of the eight biggest inheritances left to pets. Scroll through the images above to see some photogrpahs of them. 

To view the pets (and the size of the inheritances) scroll through the above gallery.

Bubbles the chimp - $2 million (Owner - Michael Jackson)

Before Bubbles was relocated to an animal sanctuary, Michael Jackson had reportedly left his favourite chimp $2 million, payable on his death.

Gigoo the hen - $10 million (Owner – Miles Blackwell)

Miles Blackwell and his wife had a track record for caring for animals and established a trust to protect critters. That being said, Gigoo was probably pretty surprised!

Trouble the dog - $12 million (Owner – Leona Helmsley)

Due to a dispute with her children real estate mogul Leona Helmsley left $12 million to her Maltese terrier trouble, which is quite a lot of Smackos!

Blackie the cat - $12.5 million (Owner – Ben Re)

The fiercely reclusive British antique dealer would’ve passed in relative obscurity had he not left almost his entire estate to his favourite cat. 

Tommaso the cat - $13 million (Owner – Maria Assunta)

The childless widow of an Italian real estate investor, Ms Assunta rescued Tommasco and the two became inseparable, transferring $13 million to the cat on her death.  

Luke, Layla, Sadie, Sunny & Lauren the dogs- $30 million (Owner – Oprah Winfrey)

Should something happen to the broadcasting billionaire her dogs will be well looked after, with a sizeable portion of her estate reportedly set aside for her furry friends.

Kalu the chimp - $70 million (Owner – Patricia O’Neill)

The daughter of a British countess and ex-wife of Olympic medallist Frank O’Neill reportedly added Kalu to the will when her husband was at the Sydney Games.

Gunther II the dog - $80 million (Owner – Carlotta Liebenstein)

Gunther II was left a sizeable inheritance in 1992, which ballooned to as much as $372 million due to savvy investments. There are many who claim this is a hoax however. 

Related links:

Technology can change the face of retirement

6 little things to do to be more charitable

Carly Flynn takes a one-week venture into retirement

Tags:
retirement, finance, income, pets, Inheritance