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Leona Helmsley, “The Queen of Mean,” Dead at 87
Leona Helmsley was, if nothing else, a paradox. Never quite able to escape the “Queen of Mean” moniker bestowed upon her after her tax evasion trial in 1989, the billionaire real estate maven was also well known for her charitable contributions to hospitals and colleges. On Monday the 87-year-old Helmsley passed away from heart failure.
Having amassed a fortune in real estate alongside her husband Harry Helmsley the pair enjoyed a life of complete luxury up until the late 80s. In 1988 they were hit with tax evasion charges and by her trial in 1989 Leona was vilified for a single phrase a former housekeeper testified to hearing.
“We don’t pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes” sealed Helmsley’s fate. Throughout the trail it was Helmsley’s former employees who shed light on the business practices of one of America’s wealthiest citizens.
Claims of abuse and unfair business practices were hurled at Helmsley by both her household staff and executives working in her business empire.
A judge sentenced Helmsley to four years in prison for tax evasion. It wasn’t until 1992 that Helmsley began to serve her sentence and after 21 months she was released.
