12 March 2024 , 13:50
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The late Paul O'Grady reportedly left behind a whopping £15.5m in his will, with £125,000 set aside to care for the animal lover's five pet dogs.
Paul also donated half a million pounds to the Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, which was featured on his popular TV show - ITV's For the Love of Dogs. This Morning presenter Alison Hammond was unveiled as the new presenter of the series earlier this year following Paul's death.
Paul, who died at the age of 67 in March 2023, left behind a total of £775,000 to be distributed to causes and charities close to his heart, including gifts of £50,000 each to elephant and orangutan charities. The legendary star also gifted £50,000 to the Salvation Army, an organisation he admired since they helped those in need in his hometown of Liverpool during his childhood.
Paul O'Grady was a passionate lover of animals and wildlifeSpeaking about the late star's final will and testament, a friend close to Paul said: "This is typical of Paul as he put his money where his mouth was by leaving cash to charities that had special meaning to him. And though £125,000 seems like a lot of money to spend on his dogs, they also meant the world to him and he wanted to ensure they always receive the best love and care."
Most of Paul's estate is expected to go to his widower, Andre Portasio, his daughter Sharon Mousley and his sister Sheila Rudd. Other beneficiaries of the will, which he made in 2017, include his agent Joan Marshrons and nine other people, including his godchildren Milo and Otis Sainsbury, according to The Sun.
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According to the same publication, agent Joan is going to take care of all Paul's dogs - Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage. Paul wrote in his will that each dog gets £25,000, with the late star reportedly penning in his will: "The legacy shall mean £25,000 in respect of each animal. I direct that Joan shall take over the responsibility of each animal....to use each legacy for the upkeep and maintenance of each Animal until its death."
Paul also reportedly left £100,000 to help wild animals in other countries. This money is for the Indian Wildlife Trust, called Wildlife SOS, and an organisation that helps orangutans in Borneo.
Paul was laid to rest alongside his former partner Brendan Murphy in April. The late star was left heartbroken in 2005 when Brendan, his manager and former partner, passed away from an inoperable brain tumour. Brendan's passing came just days before his 50th birthday celebrations.
Speaking to Mirror about Brendan's death, Paul once said: "I'd lost my best mate, someone who'd been in my life for 25 years and saw me through the days when I was lucky to earn £50 for standing on a beer crate in the corner of a pub telling jokes. Murph and I were like brothers joined at the hip, thick as thieves."
"It transcended any sexual relationship we'd had. This was a partnership. A double act, Emma Peel and Steed, Laurel and Hardy. We were both 49, barely able to believe what we'd achieved I'd just won a BAFTA for the Paul O'Grady Show and then suddenly bang, he's gone."
Paul found new love with Brazilian ballet dancer Andre after they met at a gay club in London. They became friends and got married at the fancy Goring Hotel in Central London in 2017, with Andre the one to announce the sad news of husband Paul's passing to fans last year.