In a first, Netflix shocks us with a docu-series titled ‘Gunther’s Millions’ releasing today. In this exciting series for dog lovers, we see how a dog embraces the lifestyle of a millionaire. Netflix is famous for bringing out-of-the-box content, and yet again, it has thrown the fans into a frenzy since it released the trailer. Creators Emilie Dumay and Aurelien Leturgie interview the many involved in understanding their different roles in Gunther’s Corporation, handling all of Gunther’s estate.
Known for his wealthy status, Gunther is a German shepherd known as ‘Gunther VI.’ With this name, he is owned by the Gunther Corporation, which also manages the dog’s estate and fortune. Through certain real estate investments, Gunther’s grandfather inherited a fortune from a mere $80 million in 1992 to the $500 million reported (up until now).
Currently, Gunther VI, a German Shephard Dog, stands on the top amongst the World’s Richest Pets, prepared by Cat.com titled ‘The Ultimate Pet Rich List.’ Some are still trying to wrap their head around how a dog can possess such wealth. This curiosity has left fans feeling rather eager to know how the canine became a multi-millionaire pet. With Gunther’s Millions all set to release to Netflix, here’s what you should know about this 4-part docuseries.
Gunther VI – A Nonchalant Descendant of Tremendous Wealth and Real Estate
In Italian and English, the trailer begins by recounting the story of a German doctor who made a fortune in pharmaceuticals in the ’80s. He provided his wife – a countess – and their son with a life of comfort and ease. Unfortunately, their son died by suicide after struggling with depression. Hence, the only heir to their $400 million fortune was the family dog, a German shepherd named Gunther.
Soon, the empire of the countess that was left behind (along with a long line of Gunthers bred from the original) was handed over to their family friend Maurizio Mian, an Italian celebrity known for tenuous ties to the mafia and an entourage of reverent followers.
The docuseries chronicles the last 30 years (and counting) of Mian’s exploits, from setting up offshore accounts to buying Madonna’s old real estate to elaborate social experiments involving boy bands and bikinis — all under the watchful eyes of Gunther’s chaotic canine empire.
Maurizio Mian- The Kinky Italian With Radical Ideas
Maurizio Mian is an Italian entrepreneur, a pharmaceutical heir, and the CEO of the Gunther Corporation, formed in the name of his beloved German shepherd. Over the years, Mian has used a long line of Gunthers as the figurehead for his various companies, investments, properties, and business endeavors.
We see towards the end as Netflix stays true to their element of surprise; when Maurizio believes that he is not being recorded, he reveals a detail about the long line of Gunthers that shocks the audience supplying enough clickbait for the series.
In 1990, Gunther Group released a house music record entitled “Wild Dog” on Casablanca Records, which extensively used sampled dog barking. The group’s listing for sale of a property in Miami, formerly owned by Madonna, for $31 million in November 2021 was accompanied by more media coverage describing Gunther VI as the world’s richest dog.
They had purchased the property from Madonna in 2000 for $7.5 million. Notably, Gunther sold a mansion formerly owned by Madonna for $29 million in 2022. The 2008 Liechtenstein tax affair revealed Mian had €400 million in the tax haven. Besides, he insisted that the funds, representing Gunther’s legacy, had been properly declared to the Italian tax authorities.
Maurizio Mian was tasked with managing Gunther VI’s estate, which required him to hire up to 27 staff to attend to all of the pampered pet’s needs and purchase sprawling mansions worldwide. At a lavish Tuscan villa owned by Gunther, Maurizio decided to audition young and ‘beautiful’ people to participate in the social experiment.
What’s more, this was designed to find the essence of happiness. Cheesily known as ‘The Magnificent Five,’ they were given a life of luxury, with researchers and scientists monitoring their every move. The sole aim was they would procreate and birth ‘perfectly happy’ children. One of them who successfully auditioned to be part of this lifestyle was Cristina, who later developed a bond and a romantic relationship with Maurizio.
