Rhubarb, the Millionaire Cat and Other Pets Who Have Inherited Millions

In 1951, the movie Rhubarb, The Millionaire Cat was released staring Ray Milland. Rhubarb, The Millionaire Cat tells the story of a cat named Rhubarb, who is adopted by an eccentric millionaire, Thaddeus J. Banner, played by Gene Lockhart. When Mr. Banner dies, it is discovered that he left his $30 million dollar estate to Rhubarb, making Rhubarb one of the first fictional pets who have inherited millions.

Can this happen only in the movies? No, Rhubarb is not the only millionaire cat; there are many reports, in real life, of pets who have inherited millions.

Millionaire pet #1, Trouble: Perhaps one of the most famous pets who have inherited millions is Trouble, the Maltese Terrier owned by Leona Helmsley. Ms Helmsley, cutting her family out of her will, left $12 million dollars to Trouble.

Millionaire pet #2, Gunther IV: Karlotta Libenstein, a German countess, left over $60 million dollars to her German Shepherd, Gunther III. When Gunther III passed away, his offspring, Gunther IV, inherited the estate from his sire.

Millionaire pet # 3, Blackie: Millionaire Ben Rhea left $1 million dollars to his cat Blackie, and left the balance of his $15 million estate to various cat rescue groups.

Millionaire pet # 4, Red: David Harper, a 79 year old man living in Canada, was reported to have led a very frugal life. However, his estate, valued at over $1 million dollars, was left to his cat, Red.

Millionaire pet # 5, Hamish and company: Beryl Reid, an actress, left her million dollar home to her five cats Hamish, Boon, Eileen, Tuffnel and Coco.

Can you really leave your million dollar estate to your pets? No, although many pet owners do so. The bequest usually does not hold up in court. Your pet is considered property and a piece of property cannot inherit money. If the will is contested, the money may go to an alternate beneficiary or dispensed to closest relatives.

So how can you make sure that your pet has access to your millions after you are gone and become one of these famous pets who have inherited millions? All you have to do is to set up a charitable foundation for your pet. Appoint a paid manager whose job it is to manage the foundation and provide for the needs of your pet. Technically, you are not actually leaving your money to your pet and he will not actually become a millionaire pet, but it is one way to make sure that your pet is taken care of after you are gone.