Butler Eligible to Apply to Live in Dakota Apartments

American Dream comes true for immigrant from Nepalese farming village

The butler who inherited two apartments from the family he served in New York City's posh Dakota co-op is eligible to apply to live there. 

In making the announcement Thursday, the co-op board said that Indra Tamang "is held in high esteem by those in the building who know him.''

Tamang, who grew up in a mud house in a farming village in Nepal, had for more than three decades served as a butler, cook and caretaker to a prominent American family, the Wall Street Journal reports.

When his employer, actress and socialite Ruth Ford, died last year at the age of 98, she left Tamang her entire estate, including the two apartments -- one three bedroom and one studio -- as well as an art collection that includes works by Russian surrealists.

She specifically disinherited her daughter, Shelley Scott, and her two grandchildren in favor of her Nepalese employee, but did not give a reason, the Journal reported.

The value of the estate is about $8.4 million, according to court records, the newspaper said.

Of course, the daughter contested the move and eventually ended up with a settlement she was happy with.  However, Tamang, who lives in Queens with his wife and children, kept the apartments.  He is considering selling them, the paper said.

With the help of Ford, Tamang became a U.S. citizen last year, more than 20 years after first applying for citizenship.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us