Sir Michael Parkinson left an incredible six-figure sum to widowed wife Lady Mary following his death aged 88 in 2023.

The TV personality enjoyed a decades long career as one of Britain’s most distinguished broadcasters and is best remembered for his legendary, self-тιтled chat show.

Two years after his death, Parkinson’s last will and testament was legally signed off in January, with the presenter leaving a £308,985 fortune – reduced to £292,512 after funeral costs – to his wife. 

The couple’s sons Andrew, Nick and Mike had previously been appointed as executors of the will by Parkinson in 2020. 

The presenter died at his family home in Bray, Berkshire on August 16, 2023 following a brief illness – eight years after beating prostate cancer. 

He married Lady Mary, a journalist and TV personality in her own right, in 1959, long before establishing himself as a presenter with the launch of his own chat show on the BBC in 1971. 

Sir Michael Parkinson left an incredible six-figure sum to widowed wife Lady Mary following his death aged 88 in 2023

Two years after his death, Parkinson’s will was legally signed off in January, with the presenter leaving a £308,985 fortune – reduced to £292,512 after funeral costs – to his wife 

He presented the show until 1982 and again from 1998 to 2004 on the BBC before it switched to ITV, where it stayed until his final show aired in 2007. 

By then, the genial presenter interviewed more than 2,000 celebrities across four decades. 

Some of his best known interviewees include boxer Muhammed Ali, legendary actor Orson Welles and former Beatle John Lennon, who appeared with his wife Yoko Ono. 

Parkinson was also memorably attacked while interviewing puppeteer Rod Hull and his anarchic feathered hand puppet, Emu.

Former guest Dame Helen Mirren once called the presenter a ‘Sєxist old fart’ following their notorious interview in 1975 – her first ever chat show appearance – during which he remarked on the then 30-year old’s ʙosoмs by asking if they ‘distracted’ audiences. 

Looking back at the disastrous interview during an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Parkinson later admitted: ‘I feel it’s of its time, and of its time it’s embarrᴀssing. 

‘It was over the top, absolutely so.’ 

Another car crash moment came in 2003, when the veteran presenter interviewed awkward Hollywood actress Meg Ryan.

Some of his best known interviewees include boxer Muhammed Ali, who appeared as a guest on his show in 1974

Parkinson was also memorably attacked while interviewing puppeteer Rod Hull and his anarchic feathered hand puppet, Em

Former guest Dame Helen Mirren once called the presenter a ‘Sєxist old fart’ following their notorious interview in 1975 – her first ever chat show appearance 

The Sleepless in Seattle star gave a series of short answers whilst promoting her film In the Cut on his BBC talk show. 

During the icy discussion, Parkinson asked if her apprehension of journalists gives her insight into what they want, Ryan defensively replied: ‘Now that I am wary of them?’

Parkinson answered: ‘Yes, you are wary of journalists, you are wary of me, you are wary of the interview. You don’t like being interviewed.

He later asked: ‘If you were me, what would you do now?’, to which Ryan ordered him to ‘Just wrap it up.’

Parkinson branded ‘beautiful Meg’ as an ‘unhappy woman’, while she hit back labelling him a ‘nut’.

Following his death, a statement from Parkinson’s family read: ‘After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson pᴀssed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. 

‘The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.’

Another car crash moment came in 2003, when the veteran presenter interviewed awkward Hollywood actress Meg Ryan