An Italian Woman Leaves Her Entire 10 Million Euro Fortune to a Stray Cat
Maria Assunta lived a private life, away from public attention, despite owning valuable real estate across Italy. She had no children, no close relatives, and little interest in publicity. What she did have was a deep attachment to a stray cat she rescued off the streets of Rome. The cat, later named Tommaso, became a constant presence in her daily life.
As Assunta entered her nineties, she began planning carefully. Her concern was not business partners or distant heirs, but centered on what would happen to Tommaso after she was gone. Years before her death at age 94, she wrote a will that made her intentions clear. Every asset she owned, valued at roughly €10 million, would serve one purpose: to ensure her cat remained cared for and protected.
How Italian Law Shaped The Plan
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Italian inheritance law does not allow animals to receive money or property directly, and this rule forced Assunta to think creatively. Her will instructed her attorneys to locate a trustworthy animal welfare group willing to accept the estate and commit to Tommaso’s lifelong care.
Multiple organizations expressed interest, but the assurances fell short of what Assunta wanted. She remained focused on certainty and personal trust rather than institutional promises. This legal limitation became the turning point. Instead of leaving the estate to an organization, Assunta named a human trustee who would legally control the assets while carrying out her wishes.
The Trustee Behind The Fortune
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The responsibility fell to Stefania, a nurse who cared for Assunta during her final years. Their bond formed through routine care rather than financial conversations. Stefania helped with meals, movement, and daily needs, and trust developed over time.
After Assunta’s death, Stefania learned what she had been assigned to manage. The estate included apartments in Rome and Milan, land in Calabria, and cash assets. She became the legal guardian of the estate, required to use it solely for Tommaso’s care. The role surprised almost everyone, including her. To limit attention and risk, she moved with the cat to a private location outside Rome.
Once the story surfaced, it spread fast. A former stray linked to a multimillion-euro estate drew attention for its oddity rather than humor. Tommaso was soon labeled one of the wealthiest animals on record, even though the money was never his in a legal sense. Assunta’s decision reflected a clear choice: loyalty over inheritance norms, and intention over tradition.
A Window Into Estate Planning Extremes
Beyond the novelty, the case showed how estate planning reflects personal values. Assunta did not act impulsively. Her will was written years in advance and deposited with attorneys. The decision was made following legal advice and careful consideration.
It was about control, trust, and peace of mind. Assunta structured her estate to protect what mattered most to her, even when the law forced workarounds. The fortune attached to Tommaso may never sit in a bank account labeled with his name, but its purpose remains clear. Every property and euro exists to honor a bond that outlasted its owner.