Leona Helmsley's $1.4 Million Eternal Resting Place
You may not be able to take it with you when you die, but you can sure spend a lot of it getting there. Leona Helmsley, who died this week in Connecticut, will be buried alongside her late husband, Harry, in a $1.4 million mausoleum in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Westchester County, New York. Although Harry died in 1997, he is somewhat new to the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood. Three years ago, Leona became dissatisfied with Harry's original resting place at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx when a public mausoleum was constructed, blocking Harry's view. She then did what any self-respecting billionaire would do - she built a new mausoleum and moved Harry into it. The 1,300 square foot granite monument features Doric columns and a recreation of the Manhattan skyline in its stained-glass windows. Oh, and a great view.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve Aug 22nd 2007 4:23PM
Wow, and we wonder why the worlds says that Americans over consume!
Spectacular Bid Aug 22nd 2007 5:45PM
Omitted was the far more classy recent burial and final plot in that same cemetary of socialite Brooke Astor. After having given away the bulk of her husband's fortune she was buried Saturday (Aug 18th) there at Sleepy Hollow in a small and private ceremony with "a few family members, a priest" and per reports a security detail.
Brooke, now beside her husband Vincent (d. 1959), will have a simple stone (althought it is not in place yet) with rhododendron and azalea bushes near by.
What is odd about errecting such a massive vault is they have no surviving children (Helmsley) so to built this hulking mass only serves to have people gawk at it and further shake their heads over the gross excess. Some people just don't get it even in death ...
Hdtex Aug 24th 2007 7:44AM
All she deserves is a Hefty bag on the curb....good riddance to bad rubbish.
JW Aug 22nd 2007 8:39PM
Always so quick with the criticisms of those who have more, notwithstanding someone with less than you could probably review your discretionary expenses, and offer similar criticism.
Great country we live in -- Brooke Astor gets to choose her own approach, just like the Helmsleys.
The Helmsley's billions were 100% self-made and while Harry had exponentially more than Leona, she brought significant assets into the marriage. No slackers in that couple.
Also, according to the Wall Street Journal, Ms Helmsley "left most of her wealth to the Leona and Harry Helmsley Charitable Trust, a nonprofit foundation." The Helmsley fortune, given its shear size, could potentially do far more good than the Astor foundation -- now I think THAT is "classy."
Check your facts, because Ms Helmsley DID have survivors. Again the WSJ indicates "she had a son from an earlier marriage..., who had four children. Mrs. Helmsley also is survived by her brother and 12 great grandchildren."
Steven Johnson Aug 22nd 2007 10:42PM
I don't care how much she spent, just that she is taking up so much darn room. Imagine if the world became over crowded, 1300 sq ft for a resting place for 2 people? That is a rediculous disply of excess.
John Sep 24th 2007 9:39AM
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." Mark Twain