Hughes & Huguette, similar peas in different pods.

Who is watching heiress Huguette Clark's millions?

Maintaining three empty mansions, living in a hospital for 22 years, giving $10 million to a friend. All these require a good deal of cash. Perhaps this explains why some of the prized possessions of Huguette Clark, the mysterious 104-year-old copper heiress, are being liquidated. The $6 million Stradivarius violin her mother gave her for her birthday, the $23 million Renoir, her $24 million country house in Connecticut — all sold or for sale.

(photo caption) "This is the last known photo of Huguette Clark, taken 80 years ago, in 1930, about the time of her divorce. Her marriage lasted two years. She has no children."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38733524/ns/business-local_business/

Family of copper heiress asks court to protect her from attorney, accountant

NEW YORK — Three relatives of reclusive heiress Huguette Clark went to court Friday, asking that a guardian be appointed to protect her from potential financial abuse by her attorney and accountant. The family also asks the court to bar the two men from visiting their 104-year-old client.

Msnbc.com reported last week that the Manhattan district attorney is investigating the finances of Clark, the only surviving daughter of a copper miner and U.S. senator. The DA's Elder Abuse Unit has detectives looking at transactions in her bank accounts, as well as the sale of her Stradivarius violin for $6 million and a Renoir painting for $23.5 million.

Huguette ("hue-GET") Marcelle Clark is the last surviving child of Sen. William Andrews Clark of Montana (1839-1925), who in his time was described by The New York Times as either the first or second richest American. A stop on his railroad in Nevada became Las Vegas, where Clark County is named for him. Huguette has lived as a recluse for several decades, and has been in New York hospitals for about 22 years, leaving unoccupied her three homes in California, Connecticut and New York City.

Her wealth, estimated at half a billion dollars, is managed by ........

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38994757/ns/business-clark/