The only would-be queen that could stand guard like no other.A veritable rags-to-bitches story, Leona Helmsley provided New Yorkers with a personality that was quite the source of amusement for a long time.
Mercilessly thrust into the publics' stare, she issued inimitable lines, in her distinctive, raspy voice. On the courthouse steps, she said, "You don't think that is severe!? I think that is *very* severe!"
She put giant, polished, stone memorials to her husband, Harry, on Chase Manhattan plaza (as well as to herself); but she sued the Woodlawn Cemetery for obstructing the view of Harry's mausoleum.
Ever the butt of random jokes, my favorite was this: "Did you hear Leona has a plan to get out of prison? She is going to take it Co-op."
"The Palace doesn't serve wet lettuce!":
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cjL5C-Hn-o0
(no embedding allowed)
