Karen LeFrak, the wife of billionaire real estate scion and Donald Trump bestie Richard Le Frak, is a woman of varied talents. Beyond the philanthropic work typical of the wife of a billionaire, Karen composes music and raises prize-winning poodles.
Karen LeFrak
“Donald loved my dogs,” LeFrak told the New Yorker. “I could probably find the picture of Donald with the two poodles. He’s bending down and holding them. Donald’s in the middle, with the red hat.”
Karen made her name in the poodle world with her show dog, Mikimoto on Fifth. Mikimoto reigned for three years as America’s No. 1 standard poodle, with 88 Best in Show titles, plus wins at Westminster, according to the New Yorker. Mikimoto died two years ago, leaving numerous offspring, including Gem and Music.
The top-floor studio of the LeFrak’s Upper East Side townhouse has a sunlit room decorated with photos of poodles winning prizes.
“I said to my husband, ‘It’s a declaration of independence,’” LeFrak said of her decision to begin breeding poodles. She says it is the first thing she had done on her own.
In Palm Beach, Gem and the late Mikimoto were the only pets allowed at Mar-a-Lago, Marjorie Merriweather Post’s compound, which the Donald famously converted into a private club.
“He [Donald Trump] complimented my dogs all the time,” LeFrak said. “He said they were wonderful, beautiful.” [New Yorker] –Christopher Cameron