Oprah's fortune going to the dogs

by Angie Felton (Subscribe to Angie Felton's posts) Sep 11th 2007 9:41AM

Categories: Life & Style, Rumors, Media, That's Entertainment

According to Woman's Day, Oprah Winfrey is following in the steps of Leona Helmsley and leaving her pets millions if she dies before they do. The pet-loving television mogul is said to have set up a trust fund worth $30 million to keep her five dogs and various critters living in the lap of luxury for the rest of their lives.

I understand that Oprah's dogs are like children to her, but at the end of the day-they're still dogs ... incredibly rich dogs ... with diamond studded collars and better health care than most Americans.

Haven't these people seen Disney's Aristocats?! Leaving animals gobs of money is just begging for the bumbling butler to off the critters and keep the cash for himself.

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Comments (189)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)

queenoqueens 9-11-2007 @ 2:28PM

That's obviously a loss of perspective. Which is particularly surprising from someone who knew what it was like not to have money at one time.

It certainly shouldn't cost 30 mil to keep dogs happy, if that's what she's after. I mean, they're going to have to bathe the dogs with Perrier and season their food with saffron just to use up the money.

eyemaprincess1 9-14-2007 @ 2:11PM

i think its sick that anyone would even consider leaving dogs 30 million dollars. just think about how many people she could help with that money, maybe she should open up a school in america with that money or help all the orphans we have in the united states. those dogs arent gonig to know the difference between a real diamond or a fake so way waste your time.

KAY SMITH 9-14-2007 @ 8:19PM

I AGREE TO LEAVE THE TRUST FUND AS THOUSANDS OF ORPHANED PETS ARE LEFT WITH NO ONE WHO WANTS THEM. BUT, I DO WISH SHE WOULD USE SOME OF HER MONEY TO HELP KATRINA ANIMALS (I UNDERSTAND SHE DID NOTHING FOR THEM AFTER THE STORM)AND ANIMAL SHELTERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY,PETA AND THE HSUS. AM WAITING FOR HER TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST MICHAEL VICK ALSO. SHE HAS LOTS OF MONEY AND POWER. WOULD LOVE TO SEE HER HELP OTHER ANIMALS BESIDES HER OWN. MAYBE INSTIGATE SPAYING/NEUTERING PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT. THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD THAT SHE COULD DO FOR ANIMALS THAT HAVE NOTHING AND NO HOPE FOR TOMORROW. =(

Dorothy 9-14-2007 @ 2:23PM

Oprah has the right to do whatever she wants with her money, but what happens to the leftover after the dogs are gone? If her dogs live beyond her, they could possibly live to the age of 20, perhaps the rest of the money is going to a worthwhile trust for children, schools...etc.

just 9-14-2007 @ 2:23PM

Yes Oprah should help those in her own backyard (USA ). There's millions of people in USA who needs just as much help than other countries.

$30 million to her dogs is so stupid . Oprah has to much money she's wasting her money on nonsense stuff.

IF oprah has a heart , then she needs to help the 47 million people who doesn't have health insurance , these are the people who has a job , but there company will not give them health insurance and it cost to much .

Many millionaires / billionaires has no respect for money...... Just look at the stupid stuff they spend it on ...... Money will not ever make them happy either .....it could make the other millions in USA happy .

These people have to be miserable, you've no clue what really goes on behind close doors.

you've to ask myself , why does celebs , try and get fans , and others to buy things , to make the celeb more richer , while the average person stays poor .....

foxygrandma65 9-14-2007 @ 2:34PM

I DONT UNDERSTAND THIS THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT NEED FINANCIAL HELP AND CANT GET IT. SOME WORKING ADULTS THAT MAKE $12.00 and hour with one kid , cant get medical insurance as they cant afford it, the way prices are today and keep a roof over there heads, i can see she wants to take care of her dogs but what does dog food cost and treats its un believable MABE111111111111111111111111111111111111111412.00 and hour and hvva

Anna 9-14-2007 @ 2:28PM

Oprah god bless you,If I ever won the lottery I would do the same thing!!!!!Good for you.Animals are better than people,thay dont asl for anything but love,you are my idol aleays were,I am proud of you very very proud!!!!!!! Anna

Vera Schmalenberger 9-15-2007 @ 12:03AM

The poor you will have with you always.

Mamaceeta2u 9-14-2007 @ 2:32PM

Oprah I am proud of you.I am happy you love animals as I do,I live on ss but I make sure my pets get their food more than some humans care for themselves god bless you

jan 9-14-2007 @ 2:33PM

Oprah certainly knows right from wrong and leans toward helping the African American...so how can she
justify leaving much money to dogs. Children will really appreciate food and clothes and books...can we tell her to read our comments?
She really needs to get married also...learn how to give. jm

patricia zapata 9-14-2007 @ 2:36PM

I thought she was smater than some oght millioners but i gues wrong Is so sick leaving money to dogs whem there are children all over the world dying of hunger and sickness people will problably remenber her with love in our hearts if she decide to give money in person to the most needed now that she is healthy and alive so that god will see her with the same love and care of all good things she did for human race dogs are happy with all the love you can give them not money I hope she can read this and change her mind Hey Opray all the wrong men have done to you that does not mean all human are bad hope you reconsider

Penny 9-14-2007 @ 2:42PM

Absolutely crazy! Oprah's head is even more bigger than I thought. Who the hell respects this woman anymore? Opening a school in Africa when her own people continue to be illiterate. When her own kind continue to kill each other off. Take that money and open up community centers in poor areas so adolescents and the like have something to do with their time rather than join gangs or kill or steal. Use that money to sponsor mentors. A LOT OF THEM. Leaving millions to DOGS??? Jesus! People with millions don't know what it's like to not have money even when they come from NOTHING. They forget what it's like. This is crazy. I've lost the little bit of respect I've had for this woman. She needs a friggin reality check.

anna 9-14-2007 @ 2:42PM

she is sick.there are people like myself who need money so bad to live. and she is giving 30 million to her dogs. shes a sick bitch.help some familys in need.

sandi 9-14-2007 @ 2:43PM

Oprah helps many in our county and the reason she did not open a school in the US is because, while visiting numerous schools, she asked children what they would do if they had a $1000. Our American children, from very poor families, replied that they would buy iPods and various video game systems, etc. The children in Africa replied that they would by books and medicine and food. Oprah felt she could make more of a difference in their lives.

Maybe the "average person stays poor" because they don't try to educate themselves or use proper grammar while posting ignorant comments on AOL.

AND...it's her money!!! Just because she has earned it doesn't mean she has to do ANY good with it! She just does!

Elinor 9-14-2007 @ 2:44PM

This is to you Oprah...I came up the hard way,Oprah,just like you..I am now 84 years old and am lucky enogh to have a wonderful daughter to help me feel secure..Recently,I was confronted with what to do with any funds I might have left after my death..After seeing some aged people without family or friends ,that that would be the people I would help.Most of them had spent their life and their money spporting others..aging is difficlt..being homeless..unimaginable!!I love pets..but people come first!!

Margie 9-14-2007 @ 2:46PM

It's really none of our business...it's her money and she can do what she wants with it!

Debbie Swanson 9-14-2007 @ 3:02PM

Oprah no one will ever be as loyal or love you more. Good for you.

moccachino2g 9-14-2007 @ 2:55PM

Yes, I agree this is strange. But Oprah has helped millions of people in American and abroad for many years. She has changed lives physically and mentally. Also 30 million is only a fraction of her fortune. The article doesn't mention what will happen to the rest of her money & I bet it will continue going to worldwide charities.

lhoule 9-14-2007 @ 2:54PM

I love my animals more than most. I would max my credit cards if I had to for their care. What I would NOT do is leave 30 million dollars in some trust fund for my dogs for someone to rob blind.

There is so much good she could do in this world and still have her pets well cared for. Even if she left the REST of her massive fortune to charity......think about it. How many minority students could go to college with 30 million dollars?

I've always suspected she's a wack-job and this confirms it to me.

lunatic 9-14-2007 @ 2:53PM

THATS WHATS WRONG WITH PEOPLE ALWAYS WORRING ABOUT HUMANS GETTING AN INHERTANTACE INSTEAD OF GOOD DECENT ANIMALS! so what if oprah leave it to her furry children ? good for oprah if she is able to recognize the real goodness in animals that cant be found in humans.hope other rich people do the same animals need all the help and respect they can get and all the advocates they can get. as you can see by narrow minded thinking people.so tiring about the poor and uninsured.thats the governments job i am sure oprah pays enough taxes to support a small nation. animals are the real poor and uninsured. you can judge how civilized a country is by how they treat their animals and this is proof that some people get it!