WTF?

A Miami mansion once owned by Madonna is being flipped by its owner. It’s a dog.

I don’t mean the mansion is a dog. The actual owner is a dog. A canine. A German shepherd.

This requires some explanation.

In 1992, an unmarried, heirless German countess named Karlotta Lieberstein died. With no one to inherit her wealth, she left US$80 million to her beloved German shepherd, Gunther III. She was concerned that Gunther wouldn’t receive the proper care he deserved.

Back in 2000, Gunther IV purchased the 8,400 square-foot Tuscan-style villa from Madonna for US$7.5 million. And now, Gunther IV has decided to move on, putting the house up for sale for US$31.75 million.

Realtor Ruthie Assouline told Architectural Digest: “We have sold countless multimillion-dollar homes, but this is definitely a first. “When the handlers initially told me a dog owned the property, I didn’t believe it.”

Gunther VI apparently doesn’t need the place anymore because he wants to spend more time at his primary residence in Tuscany.

Full disclosure: The affairs are being handled by The Gunther Corporation, which exists only to make sure that all the Gunthers receive proper care. Gunther’s people have done well for him. Gunther VI is worth close to half a billion dollars, which allows him to travel by private jet and yacht. Mealtime is often prime rib and caviar. And back in 2001, Gunther III bought a rare white truffle for US$1.1 million.

Madonna is a bit irked, saying in a post with a crying emoji “When you find out a dog is selling your old house for 3 times the amount you sold it for!”

(Please don’t tell my two English bull terriers about this. They’ll start to get ideas.)

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38031 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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