Sir Michael Parkinson leaves six-figure sum to his family in will after 50-year TV career
LEGENDARY TV interviewer Sir Michael Parkinson left a staggering six-figure sum to his beloved wife in his will, The Sun can reveal.
The BBC and ITV chat show host, who interviewed 2,000 of the world’s top celebrities, left an estate worth nearly £300,000.
His will was signed off by a court last week after his death in August 2023 aged 88.
Parky left £308,985, which was reduced to £292,512 after funeral costs, legal bills and debts were paid off.
It passed all of his cash and assets to his wife of 64 years, Lady Mary Parkinson.
Parky appointed his sons Andrew, Nick and Mike as executors after signing the will in May 2020.
Sir Michael was born in Cudworth, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, in 1935.
He left school aged 16 and cut his teeth in journalism at the Barnsley Chronicle, before being drafted for National Service.
After becoming the youngest captain in the Army, Sir Michael joined the Daily Express.
His big break on Fleet Street came after he was handed a weekly sports column in The Sunday Times in 1965.
Sir Michael moved from newspapers to television in the late 1960s when he was offered a role on Granada.
He remained at the broadcaster for three years before joining the BBC to work on the late-night news review Twenty-Four Hours with Cliff Michelmore.
After a brief return to Granada where he presented film review series Cinema, Sir Michael was offered his own show – Parkinson – by the BBC in 1971.
The format took off and made the presenter a star in his own right thanks to his down-to-earth interviews.
During the 11-year series, Sir Michael interviewed giants from the world of music, film and sport.
Notable guests included Muhammad Ali, David Beckham, David Bowie, Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, George Best and David Attenborough.
There was also an infamous interview in 1976 when Sir Michael sat down with entertainer Rod Hull, whose glove puppet Emu continually attacked the host – eventually causing him to fall off his chair.
Fellow guest Billy Connolly threatened: “If that bird comes anywhere near me, I’ll break its neck and your bloody arm”.
The TV great died at his home in Bray, Berkshire, in August 2023 aged 88.
He shared the home with wife Mary, who he married in August 1959 and had three children with.
We later revealed how he held a low-key funeral service with close pals and relatives in a local pub.
BBC director-general Tim Davie led tributes after his death.
He said: “Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed.
“He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th century and did so in a way that enthralled the public. Michael was not only brilliant at asking questions, he was also a wonderful listener.
“Michael was truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed.”
Sky Sports pundit Geoff Shreeves shared a picture with Sir Michael, writing on Twitter: “They say never meet your hero’s . I did and held Sir Michael Parkinson in even greater esteem.
“Consummate pro, brilliant interviewer and warm genuine down to earth proper journalist. The undisputed king of chat shows. Condolences to his family.”
Comedian Stephen Fry said being interviewed by Sir Michael was “impossibly thrilling”.