According to the institution, there are two reasons to donate: love for animals and gratitude for the city of Cologne, Germany.
The death of a millionaire born in Cologne but living in the United States for decades has brought a surprise to the city zoo in western Germany: her fortune will be entirely transferred to the park, according to information released by the zoo on Wednesday (04/ 01).
Elizabeth Reichert died in mid-February 2022, aged 96, and had already pledged her inheritance to the zoo, which was notified of the donation in December by the person in charge of the old woman’s estate.
Promise made, promise kept: The first shipment, worth $700,000, has already arrived in Germany. The zoo, however, will receive a total of US$26 million (about €24.5 million, or more than R$135 million).
According to the documents, the money was deposited in a trust. Therefore, transfers must be made every year, for amounts that can gradually increase, up to 1.5 million euros.
Christopher Landsberg, director of the Cologne Zoo, said the organizational process to consolidate the donation took months due to regulations and legal requirements involving the United States and Germany.
“Through this, we ensure the zoo significant additional income,” he said, adding that the creation of the fund also ensures that the zoo benefits from values that will be passed on over a “long period” and for “many generations.”
According to the zoo, there are two reasons for the donation: love for animals and gratitude for the city of Cologne, where Elizabeth was born and met her husband, Arnulf Reichert, in 1944.
A Jew, he had to hide from the Nazis during World War II, which was only possible with the help of the residents of Cologne.
After the war ended, they went to the United States together, where they established a wholesale business of animal products. Arnulf died in 1998.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
