Italian cats inherit £10million

Maria Assunta was the wealthy widow of an
Italian property tycoon. She passed away
two weeks ago at age 94. What makes
Assunta's passing so unique is all of her
fortune was left to her 4-year-old cat ,
Tommaso, according to ABC News. The cat
inherited $13 million in real estate and
cash.
Assunta had no children. When her health
started to fail in 2009 she
bequeathed her estate to Tommaso. Italian law prohibits animals, such as
pets, from a direct inheritance , states the New York Daily News.
Assunta could not find a satisfactory animal shelter to care for her cat
when she passed away.
Instead, her nurse Stefania took care of them until her passing. Stefania
and Tommaso are living in an undisclosed location away from potential
kidnappers and avoiding con artists. The cat is not the first to inherit a
huge fortune.
Blackie -- $13 Million
Blackie's owner, Ben Rea, died in 1988. Rea's $13 million estate went to
his beloved cat and other cat charities in the U.K. His relatives were not
too pleased with the decision, according to The Pet Gazette.
Beryl Reid's cats -- $1.8 Million
British comedic actress Beryl Reid died in 1996. In her later years she
began adopting stray cats at her home in Berkshire , England, reports The
Independent. Coco, Boon, Hamish, Eileen and Tuffnel acquired a fortune of $1.8
million. Reid designated friends to look after her cats.
Red -- $1.3 Million
TV NZ News reports Canadian David Harper, a bachelor and recluse,
died in March 2005. Harper left all of his fortune, 1.3 million Canadian
dollars, to his cat, Red. The United Church of Canada makes sure to care
for Red's needs such as food and veterinarian bills for the rest of his
life.
Tinker -- $226,000
Margaret Layne was 89 and acquired an 8-year-old cat named Tinker.
Layne did not have any children, according to BBC News. When she died in
2002, she left her North London home and a trust fund to Tinker. Layne's
neighbors, Ann and Eugene Wheatley, are the designated
caretakers of Tinker's home and overall care. Other cats from the
neighborhood are enjoying Tinker's comfortable lifestyle.
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