A prominent collector of Asian art left two of his favorite waitresses a massive tip in his will.
Robert Ellsworth, who died in August at age 85, left $50,000 for each of two waitresses at a Manhattan restaurant called Donohue’s Steak House, according to the New York Post. He referred to the pair as “Maureen at Donohue’s” and “Maureen-at-Donohue’s Niece Maureen” in his will, though their actual names are Maurren Donohue-Peters and Maureen Barrie (and yes, they’re an aunt-niece pairing).
Ellsworth was a regular diner at Donohue’s, often eating a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch and a sirloin steak for dinner. He always gave a flat tip of 20%, though bills ranged in price from $60 to $220.
Donohue-Peters, 53, told the New York Post she was “shocked” about the final, generous tip. “I just couldn’t believe it. I didn’t expect anything.” She said she had known Ellsworth her entire life, since the time her father ran the longtime restaurant.
Ellsworth, who earned the nickname “King of Ming” for his collection, was worth an estimated $200 million at the time of his death.
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