Leona Mindy Helmsley was a prominent American businesswoman and real estate investor known for her flamboyant personality and tyrannical behavior, which earned her the nickname 'Queen of Mean.' She owned a substantial real estate portfolio in New York City, including the Empire State Building, and managed a chain of luxury hotels. In 1989, Helmsley was convicted of federal income tax evasion and other crimes, for which she served 19 months in prison. Despite her controversial reputation, she was also a significant philanthropist, leaving the bulk of her multi-billion dollar estate to a charitable trust.