Millionaire dog sells Miami mansion once owned by Madonna
German Shepherd Gunther spent a recent morning playing with his tennis ball, rolling in the grass, getting a little sleep and a lot of naps. He then had a “meeting” with real estate agents selling the Miami mansion that his managers bought from Madonna.
And of course Gunther wore his very best rhinestone dog collar to the meeting – his real gold collar was back at his main home in Tuscany. As crazy as it sounds even by Florida standards, Gunther VI inherited his massive fortune, including the eight-bedroom waterfront home once owned by the “Material Girl” singer, from him. Grandpa Gunther IV. At least that’s what the estate handlers say.
The Tuscan-style mansion with views of Biscayne Bay sold Wednesday for $31.75 million – a hefty sum compared with a purchase two decades ago from the pop star for £7. 5 million dollars. The home also boasts a gilded framed portrait of Gunther IV over the fireplace in the living room.
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The breed’s lineage goes back decades when Gunther III inherited a multi-million dollar trust from her late owner, German countess Karlotta Liebenstein, upon her death in 1992. Since then, a group of stewards have helped maintain the dog’s legacy of flying a lifestyle. There are trips to Milan and the Bahamas, where the latest Gunther recently dined at restaurants – his managers wanted to make sure he was well socialized.
A chef cooks his breakfast every morning using the finest meat, fresh vegetables and rice. Sometimes he likes caviar, but never any dishes in sight. He travels by private jet, exercises daily obedience skills with his coach and sleeps in a plush red velvet bed overlooking the bay.
“He lives in Madonna’s former master bedroom,” said real estate agent Ruthie Assouline, who made the listing with her husband Ethan for the 1.2-acre (0.5 hectare) property in the block. half a dozen waterfronts next to a county public park. and on the same street where Sylvester Stallone used to live.
“He actually sleeps with the most magnificent view in his private Italian bed in the former bedroom of the world’s greatest pop star.”
Carla Riccitelli is one of Gunther’s primary caretakers and sits on the board that manages the trust, now worth nearly $500 million, that decides when to buy and sell real estate. The corporation even bought sports teams, including the men’s soccer team and the women’s swimming team, and yes, Gunther played on the field and attended the meeting, she said.
Riccitelli, a 52-year-old animal lover from Tuscany, met the Gunther care team nearly 30 years ago. She immediately connected with the dog and mission of the trust, and joined the team. She also helped found Gunther Rescue a few years ago to care for other animals.
She took care of the last three Gunthers and often brings her current dog with her on market trips or visits the kennel where she cares for stray dogs.
“It’s not aggressive at all,” she said, adding that many people consider the breed to be a wolf. “He’s very good with other animals.”
“They are very protective of their owners, towards their people. They love to have their family around so I often invite friends with other dogs over,” she said in a phone interview.
She talks to the trust’s supervisory board several times a month. The Miami real estate market was so hot, with such limited inventory, they decided it was the right time to sell.
Assoulines is used to multi-million dollar listings, but this seems hard to believe.
“When it was explained that this house was bought by this German shepherd, I said: ‘What are you talking about? I’m not following you,’ Ruthie Assouline said.
When she first met Gunther, he covered her face with kisses so sloppy that he licked off her lipstick, she laughed.
As lavish as Gunther’s life is, he still has the same drama and hardships as everyone else. Back in Italy, Riccitelli has two other dogs living with Gunther – his favorite playmates.
But she also has six cats and a few chickens.
Riccitelli says it’s a work in progress.
“He’s still learning to be with six cats.”