🤐 SPOILER ALERT 🤐
“The one thing that’s real about this story is the money,” Gunther’s Millions director Aurelien Leturgie tells Tudum of his bizarre, twisty four-part docuseries chronicling the life of an impossibly wealthy German shepherd and his eccentric owner. The series tells how Maurizio Mian — a local Italian celebrity with ties to the pharmaceutical industry — inherited a dog named Gunther from a rich German countess. As Gunther’s Millions unfolds, the origin story of Gunther’s fortune starts to fall apart, and Mian is forced to answer some previously unaddressed questions.
Mian is an Italian entrepreneur and pharmaceutical heir and also 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.
Below, we asked Mian a few questions about his dog’s wealth, their relationship and what he plans to do next.
Gunther is widely known as the richest dog in the world, but how much money does he actually have?
All included, we might say $350 million — $275 million in the bank and $75 million in other assets.
What are some of the finer things Gunther loves? Is he into expensive food or luxury fur brushes? Does he insist on flying first class?
Gunther loves all things of “enriched environment.” He especially loves cars [that are] bigger and more comfortable in size.
Gunther VI (the dog you have now) is descended from a long line of Gunthers before him, all of whom you’ve raised. How would you describe each of their personalities? How does Gunther VI compare?
Gunther III* had a very strong character. He was much more fit for attack and defense than for obedience — he was almost dangerous if he wasn’t kept under control. Gunther IV was of very good character — polite, nonaggressive, very dynamic and joyful. Gunther VI is more or less the same. Gunther V loved to spend time with people and groups. When we were trying part of the [social experiment], he enjoyed staying in and playing with the youngsters.
*Gunther III was Mian’s first dog, named after two human Gunthers that Mian claimed were family friends.
What’s your connection to Gunther VI now, and is it stronger or different than the others?
My stronger connections were with Gunther III and Gunther IV. Gunther VI lives with [my ex] Carla now, so he’s a bit closer to her.
Considering all of the extraordinary events and experiences you and the Gunthers have been through, what are you looking forward to in the future? What’s next?
Animal charity and the realization (or preparation) of psych/neuroscience experiments we’ve tried for many years. More generally, I’d like to reconnect with my past and to honor the memory of my parents and relatives, making their memory live in the work I’m doing.
This interview was edited for clarity and length.
