The strangest inheritances of the rich

Inheritances are typically associated with properties and financial legacies, but sometimes the wills of the wealthy bring about the most unusual and unexpected surprises.

From eccentric requests to bizarre bequests, here are three of the strangest inheritances ever left by the rich.

The Guinness family’s cat shrine

The Guinness family, famed for their beer empire, has a legacy that includes one of the oddest inheritances in history. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, a member of the brewing family, left a strange and peculiar legacy upon his passing. In his will, he requested the creation of a stone altar dedicated to his beloved cat.

This altar was located in his estate’s garden in Ireland, and it was considered a place to honor his feline companion, whom he viewed as one of the family’s most important members. The family was tasked with maintaining this tribute.

Though it may seem bizarre, this inheritance serves as an example of how the rich sometimes leave behind eccentric and unexpected legacies.

Leona Helmsley’s 12 million dollar dog

Leona Helmsley, an infamous American hotelier known for her sharp personality, left behind one of the most controversial inheritances in modern times. Upon her death in 2007, she bequeathed an eye-watering sum of 12 million dollars to her Maltese dog, Trouble.

But that wasn’t the only peculiar part of her will. Helmsley insisted that the dog be cared for in the lap of luxury, with a dedicated staff to tend to its needs. When Trouble passed away, the remaining money was donated to charity.

The decision to leave such a large inheritance to a pet sparked public outrage, especially considering that many believed her family members should have been the primary beneficiaries.

Harry Houdini’s posthumous magic

Famed illusionist Harry Houdini left an inheritance full of mystery and magic. After his death in 1926, Houdini’s will contained a strange request: he instructed his wife, Bess Houdini, to hold a series of spiritualist séances for the next ten years in an attempt to contact his spirit.

Houdini, who was a master of illusions, hoped his legacy would continue to stir intrigue in the supernatural. For years, Bess held the séances, but she never succeeded in reaching him.

Despite this, Houdini’s will continues to be a testament to his passion for the mysterious, blending his love for magic with an afterlife twist.

Wealth can sometimes inspire the most peculiar legacies. From an altar dedicated to a cat to millions for a pet or an attempt to reach beyond the grave, these odd inheritances show that the rich don’t always make conventional decisions when it comes to their final wishes.

In the end, these bizarre bequests highlight the eccentricities and surprises that can emerge from the world of the wealthy, leaving behind stories that continue to captivate us.