{"id":14300,"date":"2021-10-14T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grantwatch.com\/grantnews\/?p=14300"},"modified":"2022-11-23T09:22:30","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T14:22:30","slug":"the-accidental-philanthropist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grantwatch.com\/grantnews\/the-accidental-philanthropist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Accidental Philanthropist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Simon & Schuster recently published a memoir by Sandor Frankel titled “The Accidental Philanthropist: From a Bronx Stickball Lot to Manhattan Courtrooms and Steering Leona Helmsley’s Billions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The memoir tells the true story of how the author became one of the trustees of the $5 Billion Helmsley Estate. It recounts Frankel\u2018s experience as an attorney for Leona Hemsley during the last 18 years of her tumultuous life. During his tenure, she terminated and re-hired him on more than one occasion. Yet, at the end of her life, Hemsley appointed him one of the executors of her multibillion-dollar estate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frankel presents insightful stories spanning 50 years, while the Harvard educated lawyer had many famous clients. These clients included President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines and his shoe-obsessed wife Imelda, as well as celebrities like Brooke Shields, Barry Manilow and Don King. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leona Mindy Roberts Helmsley (July 4,1920 \u2013 August 20, 2007) was one of the wealthiest businesswomen in New York City. Her holdings consisted of 84 properties including the Empire State Building, Helmsley Hotels, the Helmsley Palace, and other iconic NYC properties, valued at over $5 billion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She referred to herself as the \u201cQueen of the Palace.” However, the media had a more vicious name for her, which was \u201cThe Queen of Mean.” There was even a made for TV movie made with the same name, starring Suzanne Pleshette, that dramatically told her story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rudy Guiliani prosecuted her for tax evasion, and she served a 19-month prison sentence.  All this aside, many New Yorkers considered her to be an astute businesswoman and even a generous philanthropist. In the aftermath of the 9\/11 terrorist attacks in NYC, she donated $5 million to the families of first responders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Only for the Good of Mankind, As You See Fit<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Frankel describes the unlikely scenario of meeting his client in prison after the authorities searched him. He also explains how when this powerful woman entrusted him with a fortune, it was like he was \u201csuddenly showered with wagon loads of gold.” He could spend any way and anywhere he wanted. She only gave him one caveat: \u201cUse only for the good of mankind, as you see fit.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has given away millions, as the trustee of \u201cThe Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.”<\/a> The global philanthropy partners with organizations to invest and support in many causes, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n