Sir Michael Parkinson left a 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 thanks to his legendary, self-titled chat show.
Probate records disclose that the father-of-three left £308,985 reduced to a net estate of £292,512 after payment of liabilities.
His will left everything in trust for his family after funeral and legal expenses, with the income going to his wife of 59 years Lady Mary Parkinson for her lifetime.
It is believed that she also inherited his share of their family home in Bray, Berkshire, without it featuring in his estate.
The couple’s sons Andrew, Nick and Mike had previously been appointed as executors of the will by Parkinson in 2020, three years before his death.
Sir Michael Parkinson left a six-figure sum to widowed wife Lady Mary following his death aged 88 in 2023
Probate records disclose that the father-of-three left £308,985 reduced to a net estate of £292,512 after payment of liabilities
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 chat show.
He presented the show from 1971 until 1982 and again from 1998 to 2004 on the BBC before it switched to ITV, where it remained until it was taken off air in 2007.
By then, the genial presenter had 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 ‘sexist 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 bosoms by asking if they ‘distracted’ audiences.
Looking back at the disastrous interview during a later appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Parkinson admitted: ‘I feel it’s of its time, and of its time it’s embarrassing.
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 ‘sexist old fart’ following their notorious interview in 1975 – her first ever chat show appearance
‘It was over the top, absolutely so.’
Another car crash moment came in 2003, when the veteran presenter interviewed awkward Hollywood actress Meg Ryan.
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 passed 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