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Scamfluencers

Leona Helmsley: The Art of the Steal Part 1

Scamfluencers

Wondery

Society & Culture

4.17K Ratings

🗓️ 15 April 2024

⏱️ 50 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Leona Helmsley escapes Depression-era poverty by marrying billionaire real estate magnate Harry Helmsley. She takes over his Manhattan hotels and declares herself Queen of the Palace, then earns a royal reputation for berating, bullying, and firing employees at the drop of a hat. But when her tax bills come into question, everyone who’s worked under Leona gets their pitchforks ready to take down the Queen of Mean.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hey Prime members, you can listen to scam influencers early and ad free on Amazon Music.

0:04.8

Download the app today.

0:05.9

Sarah, who's the worst boss you've ever had?

0:15.0

That is such a difficult question because there have been so many, but probably

0:22.4

when I worked retail as a teenager I had this manager who

0:27.3

like who would clip his toenails with scissors at work that was was pretty bad. That was pretty bad. I used to work for a

0:36.0

guy who would pull my hair at my desk if you wanted to get my attention and I

0:40.4

genuinely have not been able to wear braids to work ever since.

0:43.5

I gotta know who that is.

0:45.5

You definitely know.

0:47.5

Well, today's story I think will actually make you feel pretty good

0:52.0

about every terrible boss you've ever had.

0:54.0

Because I know you and I have some horror stories, but we've never had to work for the Queen of Meen.

1:10.0

It's 1984 and Mike Wallace is at the Helmsley Palace Hotel on Madison Avenue in New York City. Mike is in his mid-60s with dark quaffed hair and stern brown eyes and for the last 15 years

1:16.4

he's been hosting 60 minutes one of the highest rated shows on television.

1:20.4

He's interviewed dictators, presidents, and generals, but today's interview is with billionaire

1:26.0

hotel mogul Leona Helmsley, and though she may not be ahead of state, she's just as intimidating. Mike and his camera crew capture Leona descending a Grand Marble staircase in the Palace Hotel's lavish lobby.

1:39.0

She's 64 years old, with full lips and high cheekbones.

1:43.2

Her dark hair is styled with a diamond tiara,

1:46.0

which matches the huge earrings that dangle almost to her shoulders.

1:49.8

She spins around in a red silk skirt

1:51.8

and throws her arms in the air.

...

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