We’ve all heard the stories of billionaire heirs and heiresses taking their money to their grave (literally), blowing it on outlandish products and refusing to pass a dime down to their spoiled grand children. While these stories are hilarious and sometimes tragic, perhaps the most interesting way for a billionaire to stow away his or her money is by “passing it down” to their pets. We’re fascinated with the animals that inherit it all, and for what? Let’s take a look at the richest animals that are worth more than most of us.
Read also: “New Study Shows Dogs Get Tired of Their Toys“
- Before the German Countess, Karlotta Libenstein died in 1991, she wrote someone very important into her will, her German Shepherd Gunther III. Thanks to wise investment choices by the people in charge of Karlotta’s estate, Gunther’s net worth rose from 80 million dollars to 375 million dollars. Gunther’s heir, Gunther the IV, now owns villas in Italy and the Bahamas, as well as Madonna’s Miami beach mansion.
- When British antiques dealer Ben Rea died in 1988, he left his fortune to his cat, Blackie. According to Guinness World Records, Blackie is the world’s wealthiest cat ever, with an estate worth $13 million.
- Tommaso was a stray cat wandering the streets of Rome when he was taken in by Maria Assunta, an elderly Italian woman. When Maria passed away, she left Tommaso an unexpected inheritance of $13 million. This is a real rags-to-riches story!
- Real estate developer Leona Helmsley left $12 million in her will to her white Maltese Terrier named Trouble (she was a biter). Although the dog was a “real bitch” (quoted by the New York Times), she enjoyed the last few years of her life lounging in luxury in Sarasota, Florida.
- Conchita the Chihuahua, nicknamed “The Boss”, was described as the “most pampered dog in the world”. Her owner, socialite Gail Posner, left this sassy mutt a whopping $3 million trust fund as well as an $8.3 million mansion in Miami. Conchita embraced her fortune, wearing pearls, designer bikinis, Cartier necklaces and Louis Vuitton bags regularly. She also adopted her owner’s socialite lifestyle, making celebrity appearances at Miami nightclubs and sleeping in a custom-made pink racecar bed.
- Gigoo is the only hen to make the top 7 richest pet list. When Gigoo’s owner Miles Blackwell died after retiring from the family publishing business to raise sheep and hens in the country, he left his fortune to his most beloved hen. Gigoo was the recipient of a $15 million fortune, making him easily the world’s wealthiest hen.
- Choupette, the doggy daughter of fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, not only has two personal maids, but also has a bank account bigger than most. What makes Choupette especially fabulous is that she has earned her fortune herself. Thanks to a successful modeling career, Choupette currently has a net worth of $3 million and has become almost as famous as her owner.
The 7 Richest Animals in the World was last modified: January 27th, 2017 by Caroline Cook
