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.

Deathbed statements

Beyond the grave: Take a look at the last words of 12 famous people

Image: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout history, hundreds of historical figures have left their mark on the world through their marvelous achievements. When their lives came to an end, their last words were often a reflection of their lives and ideals. From George Washington and Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra and Leonardo Da Vinci, in this article, we will reveal 12 final words of memorable personalities.

Image: The New York Public Library

After serving two terms as the United State's first president, George Washington retired to his Virginia plantation. In mid-December 1799, he developed a cold and a severe sore throat. Despite doctors' efforts to cure him, the end was imminent.

His long-time secretary, Tobias Lear, was at his side during his last days and documented all the events that transpired, including the former president's last words. According to his account, shortly before he took his last breath George Washington said "Tis well" —an old-fashioned way of saying "everything is okay."

Image: Signal Corps Archive from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Noir icon of perpetual elegance and rebellious charisma, Humphrey Bogart is an undisputed legend in cinema history. A Hollywood Golden Age star, Bogart is still remembered today for his scar on his upper lip, his everlasting cigarette, and his perfect portrayal of gangsters and detectives.

At the age of 57 Bogart was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, for which he was hospitalized for several months. According to lore, the legendary star's last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis." However, his wife Lauren Bacall confirmed that the last thing he actually said was "Goodbye Kid. Hurry back," before she left his bedside to get their children.

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As one of the greatest American writers of all time, Mark Twain is usually credited with all sorts of great quotes that he often didn't say. For that reason, there are different versions of what his last words were before he died in 1910 at the age of 74.

The most plausible theory can be found in an article published one day after his death. According to this chronicle, Samuel Langhorne Clemens' last words were not spoken aloud but written. The famous humorist and essayist reportedly wrote to his daughter Clara, who accompanied him on his bedside, "Give me my glasses."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Joan Crawford, the Oscar winner for Mildred Pierce and one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden age, died in 1977 of a heart attack.

The actress, who had a complicated personality, was true to her nature until her last breath. She was so ill that her doctor felt it wasn’t worth taking her to the hospital. One of her nurses began to pray aloud in desperation. Losing her patience, Crawford snapped for the last time and said, "Damn it... Don't you dare ask God to help me."

Image: Municipal Library of Trento, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The year 2024 marked the 700th anniversary of the death of the man who better described remote lands. Marco Polo was a merchant who spent more than 20 years of his life traveling through the Orient and wrote about his adventures in a book that became a bestseller when the printing press wasn’t even invented.

Marco Polo was, and still is, a legend. When, on his deathbed, his wife and friends begged the brave explorer to confess if what he had told in the book was true, he barely whispered: "I have not told the half of what I saw and did."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Julius Henry Marx, better known as Groucho Marx, is considered one of the most influential comedians of all time. The man with the bushy black mustache was one of the Marx Brothers. Together they made 13 films, including the classic Duck Soup. After a long and prominent career, Groucho passed away in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 86.

His brilliant one-liners are still remembered and replayed to this day, so it is not surprising that not one but several final words are attributed to him. A few close friends have suggested that his last line was "This is no way to live!", while most suggest that his last words were in fact dedicated to his wife: "Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!"

Image: Nicolas de Largillière, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Voltaire, the French writer, philosopher, historian, and lawyer, one of the major figures of the Enlightenment, died in 1778 at the age of 83. Different accounts of his deathbed make it impossible to determine exactly what his last days were like.

One of these stories, however, is consistent with his ideas about God and his well-known criticism of the Church. According to this version, when the priest asked him if he wanted to renounce Satan before he died, Voltaire replied, "This is no time to make new enemies."

Image: William Wallace Denslow, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

L. Frank Baum was a prolific American author. He wrote 55 novels, 82 short stories, and more than 200 poems. However, his most memorable work is his series of children's fantasy books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On May 5, 1919, Baum suffered a heart attack. He died the next day, shortly before his 63rd birthday. Disturbed by the imminence of death, he whispered to his wife: "Now we can cross the Shifting Sands," a clear reference to the Land of Oz.

Image: National Archaeological Museum of Athens, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Augustus, the first Roman emperor, is often attributed with the phrase: "Behold, I found Rome of clay, and leave her to you of marble," alluding to the great infrastructural works carried out during his prosperous 40 years of rule.

However, according to other historical accounts, his last words were addressed to the friends who stayed with him on his deathbed: "Have I played the part well? Then applaud, as I exit."

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"Darling, you've gone through worse and you can beat this too. You have to fight," implored Barbara Marx, Frank Sinatra's fourth wife, to her beloved on his deathbed. "I'm losing," The Voice whispered through teary eyes.

Barbara recounted the last hours of the singer of such hits as My Way and New York, New York in her memoir Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank. Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, pronounced his last words in 1998 at the age of 82.

Image: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite being one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was very hard on himself. All his life he challenged his own limits, evident in his paintings and sculptures as well as in his inventions, some of which were truly revolutionary.

Even after a lifetime of success, he wasn’t quite satisfied. When he suffered a stroke at the age of 67, he sent for a priest to receive the Holy Sacrament and, according to historians, his greatest regret was that he hadn’t achieved excellence with his work. In that sense, it is said that his last words were: "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have."

Image: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yankee Clipper was one of the greatest baseball players of all time but he is also known for having been married to the iconic American actress Marilyn Monroe. Joe and Marilyn were together for less than three years. In 1955 the actress left him for American playwright Arthur Miller.

DiMaggio was devastated. He never married again, and never got over his one true love. His last words before he died in 1999 at the age of 84 were: "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."