BBC newsreader George Alagiah leaves just £49,000 to his wife and family following his death aged 67 after nine-year battle with bowel cancer

Leave BBC newsreader George Alagiah left just £49,000 to his wife and family in his will.

The former News at Six presenter sadly passed away on July 24 last year at the age of 67, after a decade-long battle with his bowels. cancer.

Alagiah’s will stated that the broadcaster had £49,387 in his name at the time of his death.

The will states that the money will be given to the sole executor of the will, namely his widow Frances Alagiah. The couple was married for 39 years and has two sons named Adam and Matthew.

According to the BBC, Alagiah – who also presented News at Ten – earned between £335,000 and £399,999 a year.

The broadcaster published the salaries of its highest-paid stars just a fortnight before the journalist’s death.

George Alagiah’s will states that the money will be given to the sole executor, his widow Frances Alagiah (right)

Alagiah’s will stated that the broadcaster had £49,387 in his name at the time of his death

The will states that if his wife were to die before him, his sister Miriam Christine Denington would become guardian of his children.

Alagiah then lists his four sisters and sister-in-law as his administrators to have five equal shares of his estates. The former presenter also requested that his body be cremated.

George Maxwell Aligiah’s will states: ‘I appoint my wife Frances Alagiah as sole executor of this will, but if she shall have died during my lifetime or before probate of my will, or shall renounce any right of inheritance, or for whatever reason is unable or unwilling to prove my will, I appoint as alternate executors and trustees of my will my sister-in-law Helen Robathan and my sister Miriam Christine Denington and I declare that the person or persons who will execute my will evidence, hereinafter referred to as “my trustees”.

“My trustees will have the power to invest as freely as if they had an economic right to do so.

‘My administrators will have the power to insure all the assets of my estate on such terms as they think fit, and to pay premiums out of income or capital.

‘To use the insurance money received to repair the asset or, if this is not possible, to apply it as if it were the proceeds of its sale.

‘My trustees may use the income or assets of my estate for or to defray the costs of maintaining or improving owned or leasehold properties that form part of my estate.

‘My trustees shall have the power in exercising the statutory power to appoint new trustees to appoint any professional person or trust company for such consideration and on such other terms as may be agreed.

“Maxwell Alagiah’s last will and testament was proven and registered in the Supreme Court.

“The administration of George’s estate is awarded by this court to the next executor of Frances Alagiah.

‘The application states that the gross value of the estate in the UK is £49,387.00 and the net value is £49,387.00.’

Alagiah – the face of News At Six since 2007 – died ‘peacefully’ surrounded by his family

The journalist is seen at Buckingham Palace with his wife Frances Robathan and sons Adam and Matt, 17, after collecting his OBE from the Queen in 2008

Alagiah in 2022 after returning to News At Six after months of treatment. In October, he announced he was taking a break from the screen

The widely respected broadcaster – who joined the BBC in 1989 and was the face of News At Six since 2007 – died ‘peacefully’ surrounded by his family.

In July last year, BBC Director General Tim Davie today led the tributes, calling him ‘one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation’.

Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014 before completing treatment in October 2015 and returning to screens a month later.

His health was in the news again in March 2020 when he tested positive for Covid.

Alagiah returned to his presenting duties in April 2022 until August, before leaving again in October after revealing the cancer had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes.

BBC director general Tim Davie said at the time of Alagiah’s death: ‘Across the BBC we are all incredibly saddened to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

‘George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from all over the world and presented the news flawlessly.

‘He was more than just an excellent journalist; the audience could feel his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him dearly.”