The Wall Street Journal wasted no time in running a speculative story about the future of the Helmsley real estate empire upon the death Monday of the "Queen of Mean" Leona Helmsley. The empire includes such gems as New York's Park Lane Hotel and the long-term lease on the Empire State Building — two properties the Journal suggests would be highly coveted should they go on the block. Most of the assets are likely to end up in the hands of the philanthropic Leona and Harry Helmsley Charitable Trust. The story doesn't offer any suggestions as to who might bid, but it did offer a list of who would probably oversee an auction of the assets. Also worth reading is Newsday's obituary, which includes a timeline of Helmsley's colorful business career. —Matthew Wurtzel
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