Oprah Winfrey is well known for her love of dogs.
The media mogul, who’s had numerous dogs as an adult after her family wasn’t able to afford one while she was growing up, has often shared glimpses into the life of her beloved pups with fans. We’ve seen them playing with the best dog toys, enjoying their food together, and posing for the most adorable photos.
One way in which Oprah is caring for her pups is by putting a dog trust fund in place so they’ll be cared for according to her wishes after she dies. The billionaire has ensured that they’ll be well looked after for the rest of their own lives by putting aside enough money for them to live how she’d like them to.
But how much money is Oprah planning on leaving her dogs? Here’s what we know, as well as everything you might have wanted to find out about dog trust funds – with some expert advice.
How much money is Oprah leaving her dogs?
It’s thought that Oprah, who has a net worth of $3 billion, per Forbes, will be leaving her pups a combined $30 million after her death.
It was first reported in 2007 that she’d set up a trust fund for her dogs, with a source telling Australian magazine Woman’s Day, via International Business Times UK, “Oprah has a menagerie of animals and she wants them to be pampered for the rest of their lives if she were to die first...so she rewrote her will to include millions for their care.”
What is a dog trust fund?
“A pet trust or dog trust fund is a legally binding contract by which pet owners can specify money to care for their pet in the case of death or incapacitation,” says Luca Dalzotto, the founder of financial data management software Convert Bank Statement.
“The American Pet Products Association (APPA) puts the number of United States households that own a pet at 66%, and about 500,000 pets become homeless every year because their owners died with no provision in place.”
A trust fund for dogs will include monetary funds to pay for the dog’s care for the rest of their life, and you can also include how you’d like your dog to be cared for. For example, if you’d like your dog to be fed a particular brand of food.
If you think it would be a good idea to set up a dog trust fund, you could choose to do it on your own, or by using tools online. Alternatively, you might prefer to get help from an estate planning attorney to ensure that everything’s in place properly.
Meanwhile, each state will have its own laws relating to pet trust funds, so it’s important to be aware of the legislation in your area.
When setting up a pet trust fund, consider how much money will be needed – take into account your pet’s age and life expectancy, their lifestyle, and whether you have multiple pets or just one.
You can add funds as time goes on, however, so you won’t need to pay everything into it right away. “The cost of establishing a pet trust is generally between $500 and $5,000 based on complexity,” adds Dalzotto, who explains that trusts can have investments, cash, or life insurance policies.
He provides the example of a retired business owner client who set up a $50,000 pet trust for her two golden retrievers.
“The funds cover veterinary bills, gourmet chow, grooming, and an allowance to a named caregiver,” he explains. “The trust also has a contingency provision in the event the caregiver becomes incapacitated to perform their duties to ensure the continued health of the dogs. Her pets otherwise might have been in limbo.”
A dog trust fund will also address what happens when your pet dies – for example, whether you’d like them to be buried or cremated, and how you’d like any remaining funds to be used. Often, people choose beneficiaries like animal shelters or charities.
You’ll have to decide who will be your trustee and caretaker, too, and whether they’ll be the same person or not. The trustee is responsible for making payments to the caregiver, also known as the human beneficiary – it’s important to discuss your plans with them beforehand so there are no surprises!
It can be easiest if they’re the same person, but this does mean that there’s nobody to monitor how and when the money is spent. In theory, they could use the money for a vacation or a car without a separate trustee to stop them.
While we often associate dog trust funds with the super-rich, you don’t need to be Oprah to set up a dog trust fund. Anybody with a pet can set one up to help prepare for the future.
For some people, a less formal arrangement might work, like an adult son or daughter agreeing to take in an elderly parent’s dog after their death, but it’s still worth putting in writing your wishes for your pet so your loved one can care for them just how you’d like.
What dog does Oprah Winfrey have?
Oprah has had 21 dogs over the years, as of March 2025. Currently, she has springer spaniel Lauren, born in 2009, and cocker spaniel Sadie, adopted that same year from PAWS Chicago.
Among the other dogs Oprah has had in the past included cocker spaniels Solomon and Sophie, golden retriever siblings Luke, Layla and Gracie, and springer spaniel Sunny.
Solomon was a Christmas present from her partner, Stedman Graham, in 1994, and he died in 2008. Sophie was born a year later, and also died in 2008.
Oprah lost Gracie at the age of two after she sadly choked on a toy, while in 2019 Oprah Daily wrote that she’d lost Luke and Layla in the previous two years, too.
In March, Oprah discussed having to euthanize Sunny – Lauren’s sister – who was 15 years old and had been suffering from renal failure.
Oprah’s dogs are thought to live a luxurious life. They travel alongside her on her private jets, enjoy personalized grooming sessions, and are treated to the best gourmet meals.
If you’re thinking of getting a dog in later life, and dog trust funds are something you’re thinking about, why not take a look at our list of the best dogs for seniors?
Edited by Megan Milstead.
This page was last updated in April 2025 by Adam England.
