100-Year-Old Woman Forced Into Life On The Streets After Being Evicted, But Help Comes From A Strange Quarter


Help comes to you when you least expect it.

Evelyn Heller, a 100-year-old resident of Palm Desert in California, was evicted from her home two weeks ago after her landlord argued in court that she had loud, disruptive arguments with one of her daughters. Court records show that the frail-but-feisty woman, despite having trouble seeing and hearing, pleaded with the judge to give her more time to find a new home, but she was denied the request.

On the contrary, she was ordered to pay $616 in prorated rent, $500 in attorney’s fees, and $420 in court costs. A disbelieving Heller said she did not have any money to make even ends meet, let alone pay all the money that was being asked of her.

“What? What kind of ridiculous thing is that?” she said. “But I don’t have any money.”

When all seemed lost to Heller, who was already contemplating homelessness at such a late stage of her life, help came from an unexpected quarter. Tony Robbins, the multi-millionaire philanthropist and author known for his long history of charitable giving, stepped up to save her from a life on the streets.

According to USA Today, Robbins has promised to pay the elderly woman a sum of $1,000 every month for the next two years — taking his total donation to $24,000. This was after he came across a story about the tribulations of Heller published in the Desert Sun last week.

“I knew I wanted to help her,” Tony Robbins said of the moment he came to know about the centenarian woman’s plights. “Something always can be done, it’s just a matter of people caring enough to do it.”

“[So] That’s the commitment I made. I wanted her to not have to worry forever. At this stage in her life, it’s a joy for me to give her that sense of stability and security.”

Tony Robbins saves an elderly woman from homelessness.
Tony Robbins (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images)

It appears Tony Robbins’ message struck a chord with Palm Desert residents. In the week following the publication of the story, several individual and groups came forward to help the 100-year-old woman. While several offered small donations, others promised to help her move to a new apartment.

But the problem of finding a new home for Evelyn Heller endured.

Adult Protective Services, a county-run program that assists the elderly, came forward at this crucial time. Helping someone with money is one thing, but actually doing the footwork is another. The resolution, a collective effort from Tony Robbins, Adult Protective Services, and a few residents of Palm Desert, came at an appropriate time for the 100-year-old woman, who was due to be forced out on the streets any day now.

“I’m grateful. What more can I say?” an elated Heller said after she came to know about all the help being extended to her, financial and otherwise. “Strangers have been wonderful to me. That’s the story.”

Helping the 100-year-old woman is another one of the number of philanthropic activities Tony Robbins has done during his lifetime. In February, Robbins wrote a check for $25,000 to a group of nuns who were being evicted from a soup kitchen that feeds the homeless on one of the sketchiest blocks in the Tenderloin.

For Robbins, these small acts of help might be part of what he considers his conscientious duty, but for the 100-year-old woman who just got saved from becoming homeless, it was a gift she did not expect. And that is what makes it all the more special.

[Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

Share this article: 100-Year-Old Woman Forced Into Life On The Streets After Being Evicted, But Help Comes From A Strange Quarter
More from Inquisitr