The astronomical six-figure sum Sir Michael Parkinson left to his beloved wife Lady Mary as his will is signed off – two years after his death aged 88

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 thanks to his legendary, self-titled chat show.

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, three years before his death. 

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. 

‘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.’