While it’s a common notion that wealth is a trait reserved solely for humans, the animal kingdom boasts its fair share of individuals with impressive fortunes. From beloved pets of wealthy owners to animals that have amassed their wealth through various means, the list of wealthiest animals around the world showcases a diverse range of species and circumstances.
These animals have acquired wealth through inheritances, lucrative careers in entertainment, or even through the appreciation of valuable assets like art. In this list, we explore the intriguing stories of some of the richest animals, shedding light on the unique ways in which they have amassed their wealth and the impact it has had on their lives and the lives of those around them.
1. Choupette – $200 Million
Choupette is a blue-cream Birman cat who was the pet of German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld from around Christmas 2011 until Lagerfeld’s death on 19 February 2019 at the age of 85.
Choupette was gifted to Lagerfeld around Christmas 2011, following a stay with the designer while Giabiconi was abroad.
Following Lagerfeld’s death in February 2019, speculation ran rampant that the feline would inherit part of the late designer’s fortune, as Lagerfeld once told Le Figaro that Choupette “has her own little fortune. She is an heiress.”
It is rumored that she was left at least part of Lagerfeld’s US$200 million fortune.
2. Olivia Benson – $97 Milion
Olivia Benson is a Scottish Fold cat owned by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Adopted in June 2014, Olivia has appeared in multiple commercials and music videos and won or been nominated for several awards. Comparethemarket.com ranked Olivia as the world’s second-richest cat, with a net worth of $97 million.
3. Gigoo – $15 Million
A Scots Dumpy hen willed $15 million. She was owned by Miles Blackwell, a publisher of textbooks
4. Tommaso – $13 Million
A black cat who lives in Italy and inherited $13 million. The cat was a stray that found its way into the home of Maria Assunta, a property magnate in Italy. When Assunta died at the age of 94, she willed her fortune to either the cat or an animal welfare charity that would look after it. It was decided after no suitable charity could be found that the money would be given to the cat, held in trust by Assunta’s nurse.
5. Blackie – $12.5 Million
Considered the richest cat by Guinness World Records until 2018, inherited a $12.5 million fortune.
6. Conchita – $11.3 Million
Conchita, a chihuahua, was bequeathed $3 million plus an $8.3 million mansion in Miami by heiress Gail Posner.
7. Lulu – $5 Million
An 8-year-old Border Collie, inherited $5 million in her owner’s will
8. Trouble – $2 Million
A dog that was owned by Leona Helmsley, to which she bequeathed $12 million in a will that disinherited her two grandchildren. A judge later amended the amount down to $2 million.
9. Flossie – $1.3 Million
A dog owned by Drew Barrymore, barked to alert her and then-husband Tom Green of a fire. She put her $1.3 million house in trust for the dog to show her gratitude.
10. Tinker – $1.2 Million
A stray cat that was bequeathed an $800,000 home and a $226,000 trust fund.