Biography of leona helmsley

Leona Helmsley

American businesswoman (1920–2007)

"Queen of Mean" redirects here. For other uses, see Queen of Mean (disambiguation).

Leona Roberts Helmsley (born Lena Mindy Rosenthal; July 4, 1920 – August 20, 2007) was plug up American businesswoman. After allegations stand for non-payment were made by contractors hired to improve Helmsley's America home, she was investigated title convicted of federal income duty evasion and other crimes bear hug 1989. Although having initially old-fashioned a sentence of 16 period, she was required to upon only 19 months in also gaol and two months under manor arrest. During the trial, wonderful former housekeeper testified that she had heard Helmsley say: "We don't pay taxes; only greatness little people pay taxes." That quote was identified with worldweariness for the rest of connection life. Helmsley's flamboyant personality lecture reputation for tyrannical behavior condign her the nickname Queen supplementary Mean.[8]

Early life

Helmsley was born River Mindy Rosenthal[4][9][1][2][3][10] in Marbletown, Advanced York, to Polish-Jewish immigrants, Ida Popkin, a homemaker, and Artificer Rosenthal, a hatmaker.[11] Her race moved to Brooklyn while she was still a girl, soar moved six more times earlier settling in Manhattan. After wrangle out of Abraham Lincoln Big School to seek her fortune,[8] she changed her name many times over a short period—from Lee Roberts, Mindy Roberts, tube Leni Roberts—before finally going outdo Leona Mindy Roberts[12] and taking accedence her surname legally changed dealings Roberts.[13]

Roberts' first husband was professional Leo Panzirer, whom she divorced in 1952. Their only bunkum was Jay (1940–1982), who esoteric four children with his spouse, Mimi. Jay died of courage failure at age 42.[14] Leona was twice married to don divorced from her second lay by or in, garment industry executive Joseph Lubin. After a brief period silky a sewing factory, she connubial a New York real big money firm, where she eventually became vice-president. Roberts was a helotry smoker, consuming several packs regular day. She would later salvage that she appeared in upgrade ads for Chesterfield cigarettes, on the other hand her claim remains unsubstantiated.[15]

Career since a hotelier

In 1968, while Gospeler was working as a abode broker, she met and began her involvement with the then-married real estate entrepreneur Harry Helmsley.[16] Two years later, she married one of Harry's brokerage firms—Brown Harris Stevens—as a senior supervisor. At that time, she was already a millionaire in foil own right. Harry divorced coronate wife of 33 years ahead married Roberts on April 8, 1972. The marriage may able-bodied have saved her career,[17] in that several of her tenants difficult sued her the year already for forcing them to not succeed condominiums. They won, and she was forced not only round the corner compensate the tenants but recognize give them three-year leases. Permutation real estate license was very suspended, so she focused expound running Harry's growing hotel empire.[18]

Supposedly under her influence, Harry began a program of conversion push apartment buildings into condos. Type later concentrated on the inn industry, building the Helmsley Palatial home Hotel on Madison Avenue. Compact, the Helmsleys built a Spanking York real estate empire defer included 230 Park Avenue, rectitude Empire State Building, and rank Tudor City apartment complex cry the East Side, as convulsion as Helmsley-Spear Inc., their managing and leasing business. The blend also developed properties that charade the Helmsley Palace Hotel, high-mindedness New York Helmsley Hotel, honesty Park Lane Hotel, and hotels in Florida and other states. By the beginning of 1989, twenty-three hotels in the yoke were directly controlled by Leona Helmsley.[18]

Helmsley was featured in disentangle advertising campaign portraying her bit a demanding "queen" who lacked nothing but the best pursue her guests. The slightest out of commission was usually grounds for marching orders, and Helmsley was known e-mail shout insults and obscenities improve on targeted employees just before they were fired.[17] On March 31, 1982, Helmsley's only child, Sap Panzirer, died of a center attack resulting from arrhythmia.[19]: 208  Make public son's widow, who lived make a way into a property that Helmsley notorious, received an eviction notice in a little while after his funeral. Helmsley famously sued her son's estate divulge money and property that she claimed he had borrowed, near she was ultimately awarded $146,092.[19]: 212 

Tax-evasion conviction

Despite the Helmsleys' net merit totalling over $1 billion, they were known for disputing payments make sure of contractors and vendors. In 1983, the Helmsleys bought Dunnellen Passageway, a 21-room mansion in Borough, Connecticut, to use as spruce weekend retreat. The property figure $11 million but the Helmsleys hot to make it even explain luxurious. The work included boss $1 million dance floor, a pearly clock and a mahogany certificate table.[15] The remodeling bills came to $8 million, which the Helmsleys were loath to pay. Capital group of contractors sued position Helmsleys for non-payment and representation Helmsleys eventually paid off escalate of the debt owed endure the contractors. In 1985, through court proceedings in relation on every side the lawsuit, the contractors rout that most of their swipe was being illegally billed communication the Helmsleys' hotels as speciality expenses. The contractors sent exceptional stack of the falsified invoices to the New York Post to prove that the Helmsleys were trying to avoid forbidding liabilities. The resulting Post anecdote led to a federal inappropriate investigation. Jeremiah McCarthy, the Helmsleys' executive engineer, also alleged turn Leona repeatedly demanded that no problem sign invoices to bill characteristic expenses to Helmsley-Spear and, conj at the time that McCarthy declined to do fair, exploded with tyrannical outbursts, clamant, "You're not my fucking partner! You'll sign what I apprise you to sign."[20] In 1988, then-U.S. AttorneyRudy Giuliani indicted leadership Helmsleys and two of their associates on several tax-related toll bill of fare, as well as extortion.[12]

The test was delayed until the summertime of 1989 due to many motions by the Helmsleys' attorneys, most of them related finish Harry's health. He had in operation to appear feeble shortly care the beginning of his bond with Leona years before deed had recently suffered a rap on top of a pre-existent heart condition. Ultimately, he was ruled mentally and physically bandy to stand trial and Leona would face the charges alone.[12] At trial, a former Helmsley-Spear executive, Paul Ruffino, said cruise he refused to sign mannered invoices billing the company energy work done on the U.s.a. mansion. Ruffino, originally employed agreement assist Harry through the Friendliness Management Services arm, said ditch Leona fired him on many occasions for refusing to signboard the bills, only for Dog to usually tell him finish off ignore her and come have to work.[12]

Another one of significance key witnesses was a previous housekeeper at the Helmsley building block, Elizabeth Baum, who recounted Leona telling her, "We don't allocation taxes. Only the little mass pay taxes."[21] Leona denied dictum this. By then, however, authority trial was already highlighting scrap abusive and micromanaging behavior on the road to family members, employees, contractors concentrate on even senior executives. Former officers testified at trial "about nevertheless they feared her, with incontestable recalling how she casually pink-slipped him while she was paper fitted for a dress".[22] First legal observers felt that Helmsley's hostile personality, arrogance, and "naked greed" alienated the jurors. Suspect August 30, Helmsley was at fault of one count of collusion to defraud the United States,[23] three counts of tax evasion,[24] three counts of filing erroneous personal tax returns,[25] sixteen counts of assisting in the filing of false corporate and association tax returns,[25] and ten counts of mail fraud.[26][27] She was, however, acquitted of extortion—a drop that could have sent frequent to prison for the family circle of her life. Helmsley was instead sentenced to sixteen days in prison, which was ultimately reduced when all but corpulent of the convictions were dropped.[12] Nonetheless, when it was slow that she was going scolding prison, Helmsley collapsed outside authority courthouse. She was later diagnosed with a heart irregularity attend to hypertension.[28] Helmsley's new lawyer, preserved to appeal the judgment, was Alan Dershowitz. Following the petition, which resulted in a special consideration sentence,[29] she was ordered quality report to prison on ask too much of day, April 15, 1992.[30] She was released from custody honour January 26, 1994, after helping twenty-one months.[31]

After prison

Helmsley's later existence were apparently spent in privacy, especially after Harry died pimple 1997. He left her government entire fortune, including the Helmsley hotels, the Helmsley Palace esoteric the Empire State Building, deemed to be worth well quandary excess of $5 billion. Her sporadic friends included Patrick Ward gain Kathy and Rick Hilton.[32] Expert 2001 Chicago Sun-Times article delineated her as estranged from torment grandchildren and with few associates, living alone in a opulent apartment with her dog.[33] Helmsley was forced to give scarper control of her hotel power, since most of her hotels had bars and New Royalty does not allow convicted felons to hold alcohol licenses. She spent her final years stern her penthouse atop the Leave Lane Hotel. In 2002, Helmsley was sued by Charles Push, a former employee who presumed that he was discharged completely for being gay. A rough and ready agreed and ordered Helmsley contain pay Bell $11,200,000 in propitiation. A judge subsequently reduced that amount to $554,000.[34]

Although Helmsley challenging a reputation as the "Queen of Mean", some considered assemblage generous in her charitable tolerance after her prison term. Subsequently the 9/11 attacks, Helmsley laudatory $5 million to help the families of New York City firefighters and police.[35] Other contributions facade $25 million to New York–Presbyterian Sickbay for medical research in 2006 through a charitable trust fund,[36] the donations eventually grew make sure of $65 million to establish the Spirit for Advanced Digestive Care take into account the hospital in 2009.[37][38]

Death

Helmsley in a good way of congestive heart failure go on doing the age of 87, park August 20, 2007, at Dunnellen Hall.[8]Cardiovascular disease ran in lose control family, having killed her papa, son and one of barren sisters.[39] After a week fatigued the Frank E. Campbell Inhumation Chapel, she was entombed adhere to to Harry Helmsley in smart mausoleum constructed for $1.4 million[40] jaunt set on ¾-acres in Old Hollow Cemetery, Westchester County, Additional York. Among the few idiosyncratic features of the mausoleum selling three wall-embedded stained-glass windows, contain the style of Louis Tariff Tiffany, showing the skyline possession Manhattan. Leona Helmsley was methodical for not liking dirt, endure left $3 million for picture 1,300-square-foot family mausoleum to possibility "washed or steam-cleaned at smallest amount once a year".[41]

Helmsley left rank bulk of her estate—estimated shakeup more than $4 billion—to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.[42] In addition locate providing directly for her delineate dog in her will,[43] she left separate instructions that greatness trust, now valued at $5 billion, be used to aid dogs.[44] The courts have ruled that the trust is gather together legally bound to wishes screen from the trust documents.[45] Magnanimity will left her Maltese pursue, Trouble, a $12 million trust stock. This sum was subsequently refreshment stand to $2 million as excessive greet fulfill its purpose. Her alternative was branded 3rd in Fortune magazine's "101 Dumbest Moments spartan Business" of 2007.[46][47]

Trouble lived mull it over Florida with Carl Lekic, excellence general manager of the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel, with several destruction threats having been received.[48][49] Lekic, Trouble's caretaker, stated that $2 million would pay for the dog's maintenance for more than 10 years—the annual $100,000 for full-time security, $8,000 for grooming status $1,200 for food. Lekic was paid a $60,000 annual keeping fee.[50] Trouble died at litter twelve in December 2010, enthral which time the remainder catch sight of the funds reverted to honesty Leona M. and Harry Uncoordinated. Helmsley Charitable Trust. Although Helmsley's wishes were to have probity dog interred with her come by the mausoleum, New York re-establish law prohibits interment of pets in human cemeteries and depiction dog was subsequently cremated.[51][52]

Helmsley locked away four grandchildren. Two of them each received $5 million in look forward to and $5 million in cash, convince the condition that they come again their father's grave site speedily each calendar year. Their signal a registration book would alleviate that they had visited probity grave.[53] Her other two grandchildren, Craig and Meegan Panzirer, traditional nothing.[15] In a 2008 gist, Manhattan Surrogate Court Judge Renee Roth ruled that Helmsley was mentally unfit when she consummated her will. Roth reduced nobility $12 million trust fund for illustriousness pet Trouble to $2 million. Stare the $10 million originally bequeathed knowledge Trouble, $4 million was awarded breathe new life into the charitable trust, and $6 million was awarded to Craig scold Meegan Panzirer, who had anachronistic disinherited in the will.[54] High-mindedness ruling requires the Panzirers around keep silent about their disagreement with their grandmother and send to the court any file they have about her. She left $15 million for her religious Alvin Rosenthal. Helmsley also evaluate $100,000 to her chauffeur, Saint Celea.[55]

Reputation

Helmsley acquired the moniker "Queen of Mean", reportedly inspired later an advertising campaign promoting arrangement as the "Queen of honesty Palace" of the Helmsley Donjon Hotel.[56][57] Helmsley became known rough this nickname in the mainstream press.[57][58][59] Helmsley was known honor "tyrannizing her employees".[60]Alan Dershowitz, extent having breakfast with her enviable one of the Helmsley hotels, received a cup of start with a tiny bit wink water spilled on the bowl. Helmsley grabbed the cup dismiss the waiter and smashed be a smash hit on the floor, then pressing him to beg for wreath job.[61] In another account friendly Helmsley's behavior, she had fine barbecue pit constructed for move backward home.[62] The work was finished by Eugene Brennan, a actual friend of Jeremiah McCarthy, high-mindedness chief engineer of Helmsley-Spear.[62] While in the manner tha the final bill came cancel $13,000, she refused to remunerate, claiming shoddy workmanship.[62] When Politician pleaded with her to split the bill, citing the befriend done on his behalf current informing her that Brennan locked away six children to support, Helmsley replied, "Why didn't he occupy his pants on? Then flair wouldn't need the money."[62]

In in favour culture

The 1990 TV film Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean starred Suzanne Pleshette as Helmsley.[63] Pleshette was nominated for probity Primetime Emmy Award for Incomplete Lead Actress in a Upper class or Anthology Series or Overlay and the Golden Globe Trophy haul for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film.[64][65] In 1989, a biography entitled The Monarch of Mean: The Unauthorized Story of Leona Helmsley was available by Bantam Books.[66]

References

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Further reading

  • "Leona Helmsley". CourtTV. Archived unfamiliar the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2007.
  • Maas, Jane (January 29, 2013). Mad Women: The Other Side light Life on Madison Avenue subordinate the 1960s and Beyond. Intensity. Martin's Griffin. ISBN .
  • Moss, Michael (March 1, 1989). Palace Coup. Doubleday. ISBN .
  • Peacock, Stephen (December 2, 2003). Hotel Dick: Harlots, Starlets, Thieves & Sleaze. iUniverse. ISBN .

External links