Who is Philippa Hart? Meet Dumbledore Michael Gambon’s 25-year-younger mistress who met the Harry Potter star on set when she was rejected due to the actor’s inheritance
Sir Michael Gambon has left his £1.5million estate to his wife, leaving nothing to his girlfriend Philippa, with whom he shared two teenage sons.
The Dumbledore actor, who has died aged 82, openly divided his time between Lady Anne Gambon and set designer Phillipa Hart, who was 25 years his junior.
His will, published on March 5, showed that almost all of his fortune went to his wife Anne.
His long-term girlfriend, Philippa, refused to tell the Daily Mail whether she knew she had been left out of the actor’s will.
But who is the late actor’s long-term girlfriend? MailOnline takes a look into the life of set designer Philippa Hart.
Harry Potter actor Sir Michael Gambon notoriously shared his time with his wife and long-term girlfriend Philippa Hart (pictured with Philippa in 2014)
The actor’s will revealed that she had been cut out of his will. But who is set designer Philippa Hart? (pictured in 2012)
Who is Philippa Hart?
Philippa Hart, known to the public as Sir Michael Gambon’s mistress, is a set designer.
She has helped with sets for a range of iconic films including Nanny McPhee, Scoop, The Likely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, Sense And Sensibility and The Hours.
Her portfolio also includes working on historical drama miniseries A Very British Scandal and Doctor Zhivago.
Michael and Philippa first looked at each other when they were working on the Channel 4 series Longitude over twenty years ago in 2000.
According to The sunthe Harry Potter actor who famously portrayed the iconic character Dumbledore openly referred to Philippa as his girlfriend on the set of Gosford Park.
The set designer, born in 1965, was 25 years younger than the much-decorated actor.
Did Michael Gambon have a wife?
Although Michael openly referred to Philippa as his girlfriend, he was married to Lady Anne Gambon (pictured)
Michael and Anne married in 1962, when the actor was 22 years old (photo: Michael and Anne in 2008)
Although Michael openly introduced Philippa as his girlfriend to the likes of Charles Dance and Maggie Smith, the actor was also married to another woman.
In 1962, Michael married wife Anne (née Miller) at the age of 22.
Lady Gambon has a passion for making her own pottery, as well as bookbinding.
The retired mathematician was reportedly devastated by the news of her husband’s extramarital affair.
The couple lived in their £5 million home in Kent for most of their marriage.
However, Lady Gambon briefly left their family home following the news of his relationship with Philippa Hart.
Anne and Michael share a son called Fergus, 60, who is a ceramics expert.
The 60-year-old, who heads Bonham’s ceramics and glass department, regularly appears on the BBC’s Antique Roadshow.
Do Michael Gambon and Philippa Hart have children?
In total, the late actor has three children, one with his wife Anne Miller and two with his girlfriend Philippa.
Michael’s second son, Tom, whom he shares with Philippa, was born in 2007 when the actor was 66 years old.
Their second son Will was welcomed into the world in 2009.
Lady Anne Gambon and the Harry Potter actor share a son named Fergus, 60, (pictured), a ceramics expert
Michael has a total of three children. He shares sons Tom and Will with long-term girlfriend Philippa (from left to right: Philippa, Tom and Michael)
How did Michael Gambon die?
Michael Gambon died on September 28, 2023 at the age of 82 from pneumonia.
It is believed that Sir Michael and Mrs Hart had not been together for some time before his death.
When he died, a statement was released on behalf of Lady Gambon and Fergus which said: ‘We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.
‘Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, after a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.
‘We ask that you respect our privacy during this painful time and thank you for your expressions of support and love.’
Michael was known for his iconic acting roles, including his portrayal of Professor Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter.
The actor signed up to take part in the third film after the actor who originally played the role – Richard Harries – died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2002.
He appeared in every Harry Potter film until the final The Deathly Hallows Part Two was released in 2011.
The Dumbledore actor died on September 28, 2023 at the age of 82 from pneumonia – (depicted in character as Dumbledore)
His film credits include Uncle Pastuzo in Paddington, William McCordle in Gosford Park and Franklin Bean in Fantastic Mr Fox.
He was nominated for thirteen Olivier Prizes, appeared in numerous productions of William Shakespeare and particularly excelled in Othello.
He also starred in a series of popular TV shows and in 1968 won an audition to become the next James Bond in On her Majesty’s Secret Service after Sean Connery dropped out.
However, Michael told producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli ‘I don’t have nice hair and I’m a bit fat’ and the role went to George Lazenby.