National treasure Paul O’Grady died after suffering cardiac arrhythmia on March 28, 2023, at the age of 67 and shared his £15.5million fortune with charities close to his heart

Paul O’Grady’s death sent the showbiz world into morning last year.

The much-loved star was a huge part of the UK entertainment scene for decades with his iconic TV shows and illustrious stage career.

Paul first rose to prominence as his drag queen persona Lily Savage in the 1980s before going on to become one of the brightest stars of the small screen.

Thanks to his TV shows, projects and investments, the icon racked up a fortune with Andre Portasio as his benefactor.

According to reports, he left behind fortune totalling £8.7 million. Records filed by him show that in the 12 months up until May 2022, he earned more than £1.8million. He is also said to have £1.3million placed in the bank.

Paul O’Grady’s husband plans to turn rural estate into huge mansion three times size of current home (Image: No credit)

Latest accounts for the much-loved telly star’s Buster Productions Ltd showed it was worth £8.7m for the 12 months to the end of May 2022. And the books show he paid a Corporation Tax bill of £341,525, meaning his income was roughly £1.7m.

The accounts filed for the firm in March this year show cash of £1.21m and investments of more than £7m. Paul died a year ago aged 67, leaving £15.5m in his will, £500,000 of which went to the Battersea Cats and Dogs Home that featured in his popular ITV series For the Love of Dogs.

His will also includes £125,000 set aside specially to care for his five dogs – Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage – who will be looked after by his agent Joan.

This week it was revealed that Paul’s widower, Andre Portasio, had won a bitter legal battles with their neighbours over his dream of turning part of Paul’s £3 million Kent estate into a holiday let.

Some neighbours had ‘accused’ Andre of building a new home ‘by the back door’ saying there was no need for for more holiday lets in the area. Although some neighbours insisted Paul himself wouldn’t have approved, others reportedly had written in support of the proposal, and officials at the local council have now given the scheme the go ahead.

It was Paul’s husband Andre who had announced the news of his death last year. In a statement, Andre said the beloved entertainer had died “unexpectedly but peacefully.”