Italian cat inherits 10 million pounds after owner dies: Report


Deccan Chronicle, PTI, London: Believe it or not, an Italian cat has inherited a fortune of 10 million pounds after her owner died aged 94, reportedly making her the third richest pet in the world. Maria Assunta died last month and according to lawyers entrusted with her estate, she left the fortune in property to Tommasino, a stray cat she had found and looked after because of her love for animals, the Daily Mail reported. Assunta had a large property portfolio with homes and villas across the country, as well as several bulging bank accounts and share portfolios but no living relatives. Lawyers Anna Orecchioni and Giacinto Canzona who are representing her say that she left the fortune to Tommasino in a will she wrote and deposited with them in their office in Rome in October 2009. Orecchioni explained that under Italian law Tommassino is not entitled to inherit the money directly and the will also asked for the money to be given to a ‘worthy animal association, if one could be found’. She added: "We had requests from several organisations but in the end we didn't find any that we thought suitable. "Then earlier this year Maria told us about her nurse called Stefania who looked after her and who like her had a love of animals and in particular cats. In the end we decided that Stefania was the most suitable person to administer the money that Maria had left in her will." The world's richest animal is thought to be Gunter, a German shepherd who received more than 90 million pounds after his wealthy and slightly barking heiress owner Karlotta Liebenstien died and left him her fortune. Sourse: Deccan ChronicleSource: Image