Who is the wealthiest pet on earth? 10 animals living in absolute luxury

While most domesticated animals are perfectly content with a squeaky toy, a clean litter box, or an extra scoop of food, an elite class of pets operates on an entirely different financial level. Whether through inheritance or purely digital star power, these 10 animals have accumulated fortunes that rival those of Hollywood A-listers.

Doug the Pug is a pop-culture chameleon. Known as the "King of Pop Culture", Doug’s brand relies on relatable, stylized photos and videos of him dressed in human clothes, enjoying pizza, or lounging in bed. With a New York bestseller, a merchandise line sold in major retail stores, and an array of celebrity friendships from Billie Eilish to Ed Sheeran, Doug operates as a legitimate, highly profitable Hollywood brand.

Tucker Budzyn is a Golden Retriever who, alongside his son Todd, has mastered the art of modern video content. Famous for its hilarious "dog thoughts" voiceovers and expressive facial reactions to strange foods, Tucker moves massive audiences across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Through lucrative brand partnerships with major pet tech companies, Tucker pulls in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

The late, legendary Betty White was a fierce, lifelong advocate for animal welfare, so it’s no surprise that her beloved Golden Retriever, Pontiac, was deeply looked after. Before White’s passing, a $5 million trust fund was established specifically for the pup’s care, ensuring the loyal retriever is well taken care of during his twilight years.

The late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld famously stated that he would marry his Birman cat, Choupette, if it were legally possible. Choupette was the ultimate muse of the high-fashion world, traveling via private jet with her own personal maids. Upon Lagerfeld’s passing in 2019, a significant portion of his vast fortune was allocated to ensure her continued care. Choupette also accumulated millions on her own through modeling contracts, including a capsule collection and cosmetics collaborations.

Jiffpom, an incredibly photogenic Pomeranian, is one of the top influencers of the canine world. Known for his amazingly fast running skills on two legs, he secured three Guinness World Records and starred in Katy Perry’s "Dark Horse" music video. Charging more than five figures per sponsored post, Jiffpom transformed cute internet content into a $25 million media enterprise.

Oprah Winfrey’s beloved pack of dogs—comprising various breeds including Springer Spaniels and Golden Retrievers—are living a life of luxury. Oprah has reportedly structured her estate to ensure that her five canine companions will receive a collective $30 million trust fund to maintain their lavish lifestyle in the event of her passing. The fund guarantees round-the-clock premium care, dedicated handlers, and gourmet meals.

Named after Mariska Hargitay’s iconic character on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Olivia Benson is the Scottish Fold cat belonging to pop titan Taylor Swift. Unlike typical celebrity pets who simply lounge in private jets, Olivia has active commercial endeavors. She has starred alongside her owner in massive ad campaigns for Diet Coke, AT&T, and Keds, and made high-profile cameos in record-breaking music videos like "Blank Space".

Though she sadly passed away in 2019, Tardar Sauce—better known to the world as Grumpy Cat—fundamentally changed the economy of internet memes. Due to a form of feline dwarfism, her permanently unimpressed facial expression became an overnight global sensation in 2012. Her management team capitalized on the viral fame, spawning a movie (Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever), a best-selling book line, plush toys, and endless corporate sponsorships that generated nearly $100 million in revenue.

Nala Cat is the undisputed queen of the digital pet world. Adopted from a shelter by her owners, this Siamese-Persian crossbreed received a Guinness World Record for the most followers on Instagram for a cat (currently around 4.2 million). Nala transformed her internet fame into a genuine retail empire, launching her own premium pet food brand, which pushed her net worth considerably.

Sitting comfortably at the top of the financial food chain is Gunther V, a German Shepherd with an empire valued at half a billion dollars. According to lore, a German countess left her fortune to her dog in the early 1990s, which was subsequently managed and multiplied via savvy real estate investments by Italian businessman Maurizio Mian.

Patriotic oddities

11 craziest national anthems — including Spain’s wordless march

Image: Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández

National anthems are meant to inspire pride and unity, but some stand out for their oddities—whether in lyrics, melody, or length. From surprisingly short tunes to unconventional themes and even wordless anthems, these 11 national songs break the mold. Join us on a melodic journey around the world!

Image: Colton Jones

Japan’s anthem, Kimigayo, is one of the shortest in the world, lasting only about 45 seconds. Despite its brevity, Kimigayo dates back more than a thousand years, as its lyrics are based on a poem from the Heian period (794-1185).

Though in modern times the emperor of Japan has taken on a symbolic role, the lyrics express wishes for the emperor’s reign to endure eternally. The melody, for its part, is a minimalist composition that contrasts with the grandiose style found in many other national anthems.

Image: Daniel Prado

Spain’s anthem, La Marcha Real, is one of the few national anthems without official lyrics. Used since the 18th century, this purely instrumental anthem leaves words to personal or regional interpretation.

Attempts to add lyrics over time have failed due to political and cultural divisions, reflecting Spain’s complex history of strong regional identities.

Image: Mister Paps

Mozambique’s anthem, Pátria Amada, is the only national anthem in the world to explicitly mention a weapon of war—the Soviet-designed AK-47 rifle—as a symbol of defense and liberation. The silhouette of this rifle is even depicted on the national flag.

But despite appearances, the anthem is not merely a militaristic boast; it reflects the country’s struggle for independence, honoring the weapon that played a key role in overthrowing colonial rule.

Image: Alex Houque

Curiously, Liechtenstein’s anthem shares its melody with the British anthem, "God Save the Queen." The tiny principality adopted the tune in the 19th century, though with different lyrics.

However, this musical borrowing isn’t as unusual as it seems, since many countries at the time used the same tune, which in turn is believed to have originated from a traditional folk melody.

Image: Thiago de Andrade

Switzerland has four official national anthems; one for each of its four official languages. Each linguistic region uses the anthem in its own language: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

This multilingual approach embodies the country’s cultural diversity, ensuring every citizen hears the anthem in their native tongue.

Image: iSAW Company

Unlike many national anthems that focus on heroes or battles, Dominica’s anthem highlights the island’s lush nature and the value of freedom.

It’s easy to see why natural beauty forms the foundation of national identity, given the island’s extensive jungles and thermal waters.

Image: Caleb Miller

The Vatican’s anthem is technically the Papal Anthem, which represents the Pope, not the state itself.

As a religious sovereign entity, the Vatican lacks a traditional national anthem, emphasizing the spiritual rather than territorial nature of the city-state.

Image: Magdalena Smolnicka

Malta’s anthem, L-Innu Malti, is one of the shortest national anthems, with lyrics in Maltese, a Semitic language with Romance influences.

Its melody is simple and direct, highlighting the island nation’s resilience and the cultural blend between European and Arabic influences.

Image: Григорий Захарьян

Turkmenistan’s anthem is known for its length and poetic language, extensively praising both the president and the country’s beauty.

Adopted in 1996 under the country’s authoritarian regime, the anthem blends national pride with glorification of leadership and has been subtly adjusted over time to mirror shifts in the country’s power structure.

Image: Matt Artz

Greece’s Hymn to Liberty is the longest national anthem in the world, consisting of 158 stanzas.

Written by Dionysios Solomos in 1823 during the Greek War of Independence, it originally was a lengthy poem celebrating freedom from Ottoman rule. Only the first two stanzas are officially used as the anthem, but the full text reflects deep historical and patriotic significance.

Image: Pedro Slinger

Uruguay’s anthem, Himno Nacional, is famously long and musically intricate, often lasting over four minutes.

Composed in 1833 by Francisco José Debali, it features multiple sections and a dramatic, operatic style. While its full text is shorter than Greece’s anthem, more stanzas are typically performed at public events, making it longer in practice.