My favorite Golden Girl Bea Arthur died back in April of this year, after losing her battle with cancer. She had been a television and stage star for decades, and I was happy to hear that she had been smart with her money, which enabled her to live in comfort during her last years. She was so smart with money, she actually had a nice-sized estate when she died. Parts of her will have begun to become public, and we’re learning how Bea bequeathed her estate. As it turns out, Bea represented her beloved gay community (and they loved her right back) even in death. As per Bea’s will, she left $300,000 to the Ali Forney Center in New York. The Center houses LBGT kids, and with Bea’s donation, they will be adding a new property:

Late Golden Girls star Bea Arthur didn’t forget her gay fans in her will – the actress left $300,000 to help fund a shelter for homeless homosexual youths.

Arthur’s estate has bestowed the huge sum to the Ali Forney Center in New York, which helps home young members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities who have been disowned by their families.

Bosses at the charity have confirmed the money will go towards a new 12-person property, which is to be named in Arthur’s honor.

Ali Forney Center Executive Director Carl Siciliano says, “We work with hundreds of young people who are rejected by their families because of who they are. We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person, and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them, and to help them rebuild their lives.”

Arthur lost her battle with cancer in April. She was 86.

[From Starpulse]

The Ali Forney Center’s website states their mission is to simply provide a safe haven to LBGT teens. The site claims: “Tragically, as many as 25% of these teens are rejected by their families, and many end up homeless on the streets. Homeless LGBT teens are more likely than straight homeless teens to be subjected to violence on the streets, and in the homeless shelter system. They suffer from inordinate rates of mental illness, trauma, HIV infection and substance abuse.” How awesome is Bea Arthur? I love that represented her fan base in her will. The Ali Forney center even has a donation page where you can give directly to support the Bea Arthur Residence. Love it.

Photos are of Bea Arthur and Angela Lansbury on 12/9/08. Credit: PRPhotos

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