From millions in real estate to jet-setting around the world, the world’s richest dog is rolling in dough.
Thanks to Netflix
Gunther VI is a German Shepherd who has a net worth of $400 million. It sounds too good to be true, but Gunther is the heir to the fortune of his grandfather Gunther III, also a German Shepherd, who was owned by the mysterious German Countess Karlotta Leibenstein. Before the Countess died in 1992, she left her $80 million estate in the dog’s paws — she had no living heir after her son’s tragic death.
While we know that German Shepherds are among the smartest breeds, it is unlikely that a dog can be financially trained. So the Countess left Gunther’s fortune in the hands of the Italian pharmaceutical heir Maurizio Mian – a friend of the Countess’s late son.
Now, 30 years later, Mian has built a lucrative and lavish empire for Gunther’s descendants, including a $7.5 million mansion in Miami that he bought on Gunther’s behalf from Madonna, who was then sold for a profit for $29 million.
Under Mian’s care, Gunther’s original $80 million legacy has grown to a staggering $400 million, but not without a cost.
Netflix is ready to unpack the incredible story and questionable handling of Gunther’s assets in a new four-part investigative docuseries. Gunther’s millionspremieres on February 1.
Keep scrolling for more details on Gunther and the new documentary.
Who is Maurizio Mian?
Before Gunther’s bloodline fell into the hands of Mauizio Mian, the Italian londonbusinessblog.com was known as the heir to the successful pharmaceutical company Istituto Gentili, which was instrumental in developing a treatment for osteoporosis, according to the Daily beast.
After studying medicine, Mian became a college professor before taking on the position of Gunther’s handler. Under Mian’s tutelage, the Gunther Trust was established and now owns several companies and businesses, including The Burgundians, an entertainment troupe made up of rotating aspiring models who sing and dance for the lucky dog.
However, the Burgundians fell apart after Mian reportedly conducted “science experiments” to study happiness, according to the outlet. He then bought several sports teams, including the Pisa Sporting Club, and founded another music group, The Magnificent 5, with the aim of producing and giving birth to ideal people, according to the outlet.
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Is the story of Gunther’s millions real?
Based on a look at Maurizio Mian’s suspicious resume, the credibility of the londonbusinessblog.com is questionable. It turns out that the story behind Gunther’s wealth is a farce Mian concocted to get around Italy’s tax laws, according to the Daily beast.
Further, Fox business notes that there is no evidence that a Countess ever existed, and other reports claim that more than one Gunther could be among us.
Additional reports also indicate that Mian tended to inflate and change his stories to the press over the years.
While Gunther’s past may be fabricated, Gunther IV is very real and currently lives in Italy.
“He has a really nice life and he’s being looked after really well,” said Emily Dumay, executive producer of Gunther’s millionsVos said. “There have been several Gunthers over the years. Obviously, Gunther doesn’t necessarily travel or do all the activities – that’s something the caretakers do,” she added. “So, sometimes they’ll have deputies. They’ll have a deputy if they feel it’s not appropriate for security reasons to bring Gunther along. They’re also very protective of him.”
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What does Gunther spend his money on?
While it’s not clear exactly how Gunther amassed his large fortune, or how he swiped his paws on his credit cards, he’s certainly not roughing it.
The hunting dog has a whole staff waiting for his needs, including a private chef who presents him with gold-flaked steaks, and both a legal and public relations team, per Forbes. He is also protected by a security team and often visits a high-quality groomer, Fox business found it.
In addition, the film’s executive producer told Fox that Gunther’s handlers are always looking to expand his empire, and are currently talking about “a digital collection” that would allow fans to interact with the dog digitally.
In addition, Gunther is said to own multiple mansions and villas, and he prefers to fly privately over commercial flights.