National treasure Dame Barbara Windsor quickly became the nation’s sweetheart after appearing on stage and on screen.
Rising to fame at the age of 13, the star later became known for her role as a schoolgirl in The Belles of St. Trinian’s in 1954.
After receiving a Tony Award nomination for the 1964 Broadway production of Oh, What A Lovely War!, Barbara went on to become a household name starring in a number of Carry On films.
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However, fans will also remember her for her iconic role in BBC’s EastEnders playing the legendary Peggy Mitchell from 1994 to 2016.
But although things were flourishing for Barbara on screen, Alzheimer’s disease gradually started to take hold of her life from as early as 2006.
In December 2020, the British actress died from the awful condition leaving the world devastated by her loss.
So as it would have been Barbara’s birthday today, Daily Star has taken a look inside her will and who she left her millions to.
Scott Mitchell
(Image: Instagram)
Barbara married her younger husband Scott Mitchell in the year 2000 and he helped care for her during the years she battled Alzheimer’s.
So it came as no surprise that the actress decided to leave most of her fortune to her Scott.
According to reports, Barbara’s husband was left £4.6 million of her estate.
Talking to the Mirror last year, Scott revealed that he had planned to a memorial event to celebrate Barbara’s life.
He explained at the time: ‘I’m definitely getting something together for next year. I have to give myself time – it’s only been nine months since she passed. I’m still processing it.
“But there will be something next year. We’ll make sure all her friends who couldn’t be at the funeral can get together and remember her.’
Scott also mentioned that he wanted to honour Barbara’s birthday in 2022.
He added: “I was always going to be a difficult day – I just wanted to do the best I could and do something for Barbara and let her know she was in my thoughts.”
In March 2021, The Sun also revealed that Scott inherited the company Barbara used for her TV pay, worth nearly £ 1 million.
Family members
(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
As well as her beloved Scott, the former Carry On star also left money to certain family members.
To her sister-in-law, Marsha Alexander, Barbara decided to leave her and her husband Laurence £5,000.
Scott’s sister Marsha has been an avid supporter of her brother’s charitable efforts he’s demonstrated throughout the years in his fight to raise awareness of dementia.
Barbara also handed £2,000 each to her cousins Leslie Larsen and Julie Elliot.
Anna Karen
(Image: PA)
Although she left the majority of her funds to her husband, Barbara also left £1,000 to actress Anna Karen, who played the role of Peggy Mitchell’s on-screen sister, Aunt Sal.
The two women became close when they appeared together in Carry On films and while they working in nightclubs.
Discussing her time with Barbara during their Carry On days, Anna told The Mirror in 1996: In Carry On Camping I was terrified because I had to get into a fight with Barbara and she was so famous.
“We ended up screaming with laughter the whole way through. She had no airs and graces and we became solid friends.”
Charities
(Image: PA)
As well to family and close friends, the Dame also left money to charity organisations that were close to her heart.
Barbara decided to leave £1,000 each to seven charities which include, the NSPCC, Breast Cancer Care, Help The Aged, showbiz organisation Grand Order Of Lady Ratlings, National Osteoporosis Society, Headley Court wounded soldiers rehab centre and Age UK.
Her gift to Age UK was particularly poignant as she previously worked closely with the charity to raise further awareness about Alzheimer’s after she was diagnosed with the disease in 2014.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
