The late BBC newsreader George Alagiah left a modest £49,000 to his wife and family in his will, reports claim.
At the age of 67, he sadly passed away on 24 July last year following a ten-year battle with bowel cancer. The will of the former News at Six presenter revealed that George had £49,387 to his name at the time of his passing.
His will stipulates that the money would be given to the sole executrix, his widow Frances Alagiah. The couple were married for 39 years and share two sons together, Adam and Matthew.
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According to the BBC, he earned between £335,000 and £399,999 per annum. The broadcaster releases the salaries of its highest-paid stars, and these figures were published just two weeks before his tragic passing.
(Image: PA)
The will also states that if his wife were to predecease him, his sister Miriam Christine Denington would become the guardian of his children. George then named his four sisters and sister-in-law as his trustees, each to receive an equal share of his estate.
The respected journalist and presenter also expressed his wish for his body to be cremated. It also states in his will that the “trustees shall have the power to invest as freely as if they were beneficially entitled”.
The will of George Maxwell Aligiah reads: “I appoint my wife Frances Alagiah to be Sole Executrix of this my will but if she shall have died in my lifetime or before proving my Will or shall renounce probate or be unable or unwilling for whatever reason to prove my will then I appoint as alternate Executors and Trustees of my Will my sister-in-law Helen Robathan and my sister Miriam Christine Denington and I declare that the person or persons who shall prove my will are hereinafter referred to as ‘my trustees’.”
(Image: PA)
“My trustees shall have the power to invest as freely as if they were beneficially entitled. My trustees shall have the power to insure any asset of my estate on such terms as they think fit and to pay premiums out of income or capital.”
“To use any insurance money received to restore the asset or if this is not possible to apply it as if it were the proceeds of its sale.”
“My trustees may use the income or capital of my estate for or towards the cost of maintaining or improving freehold or leasehold property forming part of my estate.”
(Image: PA)
“My trustees shall have the power in exercising the statutory power of appointing new trustees to appoint a professional person or trust corporation at such remuneration and on such other terms as shall be agreed.”
“The Last Will and Testament of Maxwell Alagiah was proved and registered before the High Court of Justice. The Administration of George’s estate is granted by this court to the following Executor of Frances Alagiah.”
“The application has stated that the gross value of the estate in the United Kingdom amounts to £49,387.00 and the net value amounts to £49,387.00.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The news anchor had been at the forefront of BBC News at Six since 2007. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer about nine years back which escalated, impacting his liver and lymph glands.
George endured an intense medical journey involving 17 chemotherapy sessions and five surgical procedures. Even amid the health battle, his job served as fuel to keep him going, even after returning to work in April the previous year.
However, only half a year later in October, he shared with his audience that the disease had hit back. “It’s back to the tough stuff”, he uttered while announcing his decision to take a minor hiatus from his screen role.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
