Apart from founding the Helmsley Palace, together they built a real estate property in New York.

Real estate owned

Along with her husband, Leona Helmsley owned real estate property in the Empire State Building, the Tudor City apartment complex and Helmsley-Spear.

Other prominent involvement

Although known for her ill temper, misquotes and rude behavior, property baroness Leona Helmsley donated $5 million for the relief of the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Controversy

More than her real estate business, Leona Helmsley was known as a queen of controversy because of her inhospitable behavior. But her most controversial moment came when she infamously boasted that "We don't pay taxes.

Only the little people pay taxes ..." and was investigated for federal income tax evasion and other related crimes in 1989. She received a 16 years sentence but ultimately served 19 months in prison with two months house arrest.

She also created a bad reputation for herself for reportedly misbehaving with hotel employees just before terminating their services.