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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Brogan-Leigh Hurst

Bruce Forsyth's kids 'didn't inherit anything from his £11.7m fortune in his will'

Sir Bruce Forsyth died in 2017 at the age of 89 - and today would have been the late star's 94th birthday.

The nation was left heartbroken when The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right and Strictly Come Dancing host lost his battle with bronchial pneumonia on August 18, 2017, at his Wentworth Estate home in Virginia Water.

His glittering showbiz career span over seven decades and he became a household name.

Following his devastating death, it was claimed none of his kids would be set to inherit anything from his £11.7million fortune in his will, according to reports.

Late Sir Bruce Forsyth and his wife Wilnelia (PA)
Tess Daly pictured with the former Strictly host (Getty)

In 2018, it was reported all of his fortune will go to his widow Lady Wilnelia Merced, according to Mail On Sunday.

Bruce previously said kids should inherit all their parents fortune, as he hit out at the use of inheritance tax.

He told Radio Times in 2015: "I think your inheritance should go to your children more than back to the country that you've lived in.

"I'm not saying you don't owe the country something, of course you owe your country a lot for living there all those years. But I think it can be a bit over the top."

Sir Bruce Forsyth said he didn't miss Strictly after he quit following the 2013 final (mirror.co.uk)

Despite claims his kids Debbie, Julie, Laura, Charlotte, Louisa and son Jonathan Joseph were believed to be getting nothing, it was claimed he did make provisions for his nine grandchildren.

It was reported they would each inherit £100,000 which was left in a trust fund to be split nine ways after they turn 21.

A further two payments of £20,000 would go to two of his executors, it's claimed.

When Lady Wilnelia was handed his £11million will, it was reported she could then dish out up to £650,000 to Bruce's relatives without paying tax on it.

Bruce's estate was exempt from inheritance tax after he left it to former Miss World Wilnelia.

His children reportedly didn't receive any of his fortune (BBC/Guy Levy)

After his death, Lady Wilnelia planted Forsythia around a bench dedicated to Brucie on the East Course at Wentworth, where he was for years a member.

She said she did it to remember her “darling Bruce” adding: “We miss you always, today more than ever.”

At the time, she told how every time she sees a rainbow she thinks of him.

She said: “I remember saying to him, ‘But Bruce, how will I know what to do when you’re not here? I can’t even work the TV without you!’

“He turned to me and said, ‘Just look for the rainbow, my darling’.

“Now his children send me pictures of rainbows from wherever they are and it’s really just this wonderful feeling.”

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