Singer George Michael had $98 million when he died at age 53 on Christmas Day in 2016. Now, two and a half years after the Wham! singer’s untimely death, his estate is finally being divided.
According to The Sun, the majority of Michael’s assets are going to his sisters, Yioda and Melanie, with his prized horse racing stud farm going to his father, Kyriacos Panayiotou.
“George was devoted to his dad and sisters, they were always going to be looked after,” a source told The Sun.
Related: George Michael’s partner says hackers behind Tweets claiming artist killed himself
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Some of the other beneficiaries named in the will are Michael’s long-time publicist Connie Filippello, his BFF/producer David Austin, his cousin Alex Georgiou, his former personal assistant Michelle May, and model friend Kay Beckenham.
One person who is noticeably absent, however, is his boyfriend Fadi Fawaz.
Michael and Fawaz met in 2011 and were together up until his death in 2016. They lived in a $5 million house in London owned by Michael, which Fawaz has reportedly refused to vacate despite repeated requests from the family.
When The Sun went to the house to ask Fawaz for comment, he opened the door and said: “No way, thank you. Have a lovely night.”
Meanwhile, Michael’s publicist declined to comment when asked about Fawaz being left out of the will.
Related: Radar tastelessly “exposes” George Michael’s BF as “secret” adult film star
Chrisk
Ha. So he’s basically squatting in Georges Mansion till he gets forcibly evicted. Nice.
If he’s smart he’ll write a book and make his $ that way.
MacAdvisor
The boyfriend was a legal resident of the house at the time of Michael’s death and remains so. The only party that has the power to force him to leave is the executor of the estate, not members of the family. The process for eviction there is similar to here, where one must first give notice and then go through a legal proceeding. In the meantime, the boyfriend is not a squatter, that is, someone who is there without permission, but a legal tenant in possession. Possession is perfectly legitimate tenancy.
We can’t know, but Micheal may have funded a trust for the boyfriend prior to his death and so did not need to leave him anything in the will.
Brian
It’s been 2 1/2 years. I think it’s safe to assume that the boyfriend has been given proper legal notice to vacate the property by now. It’s not like they just discovered he wasn’t left anything in the will
Mimi77023
I believe it very Decent & Honorable for George Micheal to be so benevolent to his real blood and sisters and of course the man who put the bread in the oven (mom)
Joey3223
He’s out and his ploy to inherit anything from George has fallen and collapsed. Evidently, George “saw” him for the greedy groupie he really is. Bravo!
TheGregoryProject
@MacAdvisor you say, ‘The process for eviction there is similar to here …’ Where is ‘here’ ?
Young Timer
There is no way to hide a financial trust.
Neither in Great Britain nor the United States.
A trust would be listed as an asset in the will (for tax or non-tax purposes), including where it would be directed and what it is to be used for.
Boyfriend could be living on physical cash that George left him… tons of it. No law says, “I can’t go to my bank, withdraw $20 from my account, and give that to you free and clear before I die.” Bank withdrawals don’t have to be noted in a will, or otherwise recorded.
Bryguyf69
MacAdvisor,
Not sure where you’re getting your misinformation from but no he is not a legal resident. He was never made a legal owner, and in a legal sense, he was no more than a guest of George. Furthermore, the British media reports that the house now belongs to the sisters so his only recourse is to claim Squatter’s Rights. But he doesn’t fulfill all the criteria. For example, he hasn’t lived there continuously for at least 10 years. And prior to the sisters ownership, he was not living there without the owner’s permission. Based on all known facts, he is basically a guest who overstayed his welcome.
Brian
Any sympathy I might have felt for the boyfriend disappeared once I learned he won’t leave the house. Guess he’ll have to go back to porn, the George connection should increase his day rate.
Chrisk
The thing is I wonder what George would want. Who knows when the will was done. No one ever thinks they’re going to die tomorrow after all. If he loved him then I would assume George wanted Fadi taken care of.
The only thing I can think of is that the family thinks Fadi played a part in Georges death. Otherwise, it just seems overly cruel.
Brian
What seems cruel? They were together for 5 years, obviously George had his legal affairs in order. There was plenty of opportunity to add him if that’s what he wanted to do. Or they could have gotten married, but didn’t.
And considering the number of issues he had stemming from addiction, I certainly don’t think he was oblivious to the fact that something could happen to him.
I would assume what George wanted was exactly what he arranged, and what he wouldn’t have wanted was for this guy to be squatting in the house years later.
Chrisk
George is the only one that knows for sure. His death was a sudden death though. It was officially listed as fatty liver disease (bullshit) and yes I also agree that he was a drug addict and that’s probably what killed him. Some were saying GHB. Plus, Most drugs addicts I know aren’t the best in making long range decisions.
DavidIntl
@Brian I never had the impression that George Michael was a particularly organised guy. I am… and yet, this brings home the point that I haven’t gotten around to including my partner in my will – and we have been in civil union for four years. Chrisk is right that none of us thinks we are going to die tomorrow, so things like this don’t end up being priorities when we have a lot of demands on our attention.
Brian
Remember when George was found passed out on his car at a stoplight? If that wasn’t a wake-up call for George, it should have been for the boyfriend.
I find it hard to believe that the subject never came up by the boyfriend in the entire 5 years. This is the type of things committed couples should be talking about, especially when it’s $98 million at stake. I believe that this is exactly what George wanted for whatever reason he had, I can’t see it just being an oversight.
stanhope
Except now the dude has aged out of porn that pays decently. Dude was a user. That sort is what is termed ‘per diem’ trade…no contract, just a day rate i.e. dinner, a few clothes, a watch, vacations and that is it.
prarie pup
If George’s estate was $98 million, there is room to give Fadi something.
Brian
He got to live for free in a house he could never afford for over 2 years. That’s something.
stanhope
For what? That is not the issue…he deserves nothing as it was not George’s intent to give him anything.
shanfrina
… Oh, WELL!?! LOL!!!
ShiningSex
nothing funny about being committed to someone and then get nothing. It’s shameful.
RIGay
This is a hard read in terms of trying to understand the dynamics. George was never comfortable being out – he always sounded like he was struggling with his sexuality, even when everything came to light. He was always making some statement about how unworthy he was and would generalize the gay community to be of the same mindset – that we were all just miserable people, etc. When I heard of Fadi coming into his life, and his declaration that he was finally comfortable, happy and positive about his life, something just did not resonate as true to me (much like Tommy boy jumping on the couch on Oprah).
I suspect that he never felt a real comfort with Fadi, but secondarily, Fadi came along later in his life, and there was a whole body of family and friends that supported him earlier on. Could have been that, too.
Anyhow. Not giving this much more thought.
okbye
He was also British and defeatist is a pretty common Brittish thing to be. They are often self-depricating and try to emphasise not being special. Very humble. Saying you are happy is like bragging. Since Americans live to brag it’s hard to imagine but the cultural norms are very different. The British stereotype is miserable.
I remember when he was still straight, lol. When he first became popular and had to go to sex addiction rehab because he was sleeping with three different girls a day. I kinda get the impression he was never happy in his skin no matter what the circumstances.
Donston
George clearly had his issues. He was likely inherently bi to whatever degree and/or had some fluidity in his orientation. He was also extremely hyper-sexual. But based off his own words, it seems that he could only truly love a man and be content with a man and only had persistent passions towards men. But depression, drug addiction and self-destructive instincts seemed to plague him his whole life. That’s why I always say that while being out is a step, it isn’t going to fix everything. If you have mental health problems, a convoluted sense of self and ego, past traumas that are debilitating, self-destructive instincts, self-resentment, etc. those things need to be confronted.
I don’t know if I feel sorry for his partner or not. We don’t really know the circumstances of their relationships and just how commitment and serious they were. And we don’t know Michael’s state of mind when he wrote that will. Considering he likely died of an overdose it calls into question some things.
ShiningSex
Usually families’ of deceased homosexuals tend to do these kind of vile things. Why throw him out? He was with him for a decent amount of time. George obviously loved him, but maybe he had not changed his will to include him before his death.
It’s sad that this happens a lot. It happened to Gianni Versace too. The Versace family are vile.
No sympathy for George’s family. Money hungry.
Chrisk
That also entered my mind. How many gay couples have gotten screwed by greedy families moving in like vultures.
Brian
Vultures? He died in Dec 2016. They have given him more than enough time to move on with his life.
winemaker
This reminds me of a case many years ago involving actor Lee Marvin. who shacked up with a lady named Michelle Triola for many years. They were in the eyes of the law ‘common law’ spouses, never having been married. Long story short, when Lee Marvin passed away, leaving a sizeable estate, his family basically told Michelle Triola to ‘take a hike’you don’t get anything despite them having lived together for many years, sharing everything, a home and al aspects of living together as a ‘married couple’.
winemaker
With an estate of almost 100 million dollars, there’s enough money left over to give this guy who was with him for at least 5 years something. Really, this is so much money to make people comfortable for the rest of their lives, provided it’s invested and spent wisely. Greed pops up when things happen like this, sad.
PinkoOfTheGange
Lee Marvin was quite alive during the entire Marvin v. Marvin trial and appeal. She lost on appeal and the concept of implied palimony all but died after the appeal. There has not been a common law marriage recognized, by full time residents, in CA for 80 years.
patricklee5150
Exactly. Well said. Thank you.
ShiningSex
George Michael’s music sucked. No loss.
spacecadet
Um, clearly you care because you took the time to come here and post. Also, you are clearly in the minority with your opinion because the legend had $98 million in the bank when he died. You don’t make that kind of money by sucking. Now be gone troll!
Chrisk
I loved his music. Bought every album and listened to them over and over. Some songs were absolutely brilliant.
okbye
Seriously? You don’t have to like it but it’s just not true to say it sucked. He had a beautiful voice.
patricklee5150
No class at all. STFU
Tombear
Somehow, I don’t think George cares!
Talltom@45
Golddigger “boyfriend” gets nothing. I’m not surprised.
ElPillo
Two to tango. George knee whet he had. That said, I don’t know the BF and no one else was in that relationship
batesmotel
No, the family offered him $635,000 to move, which isn’t in this article, but it’s more than enough for someone that was only with George Michael for five years.
sfmike64
I love how all of you seem to know everything about their relationship when you didn’t know them.
Why be mean? Oh right. We’re catty fags.
iamru2
Well you’re being mean as usual and acting all smug and holier than thou so you fit right in!
Brian
Said the pot to the kettle.
stub27
So basically you are believing a newspaper that is owned by the same person that owns Fox News. Welcome to the homophobia of Rupert Murdock
Brian
So tell us which part is the lie.
Aidanf
Maybe there were unresolved internal homophobic issues? He never seemed to care much for the LGBTQ community.
It doesn’t set a positive example, especially for such a popular, successful, wealthy gay figure to leave absolutely nothing to the man he spent the last several year of his life with, including living together in the same home.
With all his money it’s surprising he couldn’t have left at least some sort of trust and a residence for the partner to move on to.
If this was a man and a woman, even if she was an x-I’m sure she would have gotten SOMETHING.
It just goes to show how little regard some gay men have for other gay men.
Brian
You have no idea what the nature of their relationship was. Why should George have to set an example for gay people?
Donston
Well, to me those types of men are homosexual/sexually homo-leaning/queer. They’re not really “gay”. If you have genuine and sustained same-sex affections, romantic love and relationship contentment then you’re not gonna play your partner like that. Michael did seem have some discomfort with being out (perhaps there was some internalized homophobia and gay resentment going on) and he clearly faced depression, anxiety, drug addictions and general mental health problems throughout his adult life.
However, we don’t know the true nature of their relationship. Just because they were together for five years doesn’t mean either took the partnership that seriously. It doesn’t even mean there was love and commitment there. And it was ultimately George’s money.
Brian
Was anyone else surprised that George was worth this much when he died? I didn’t think he’d be broke, but it had been the better part of 25 years since he had any sort of real hit. He must have made some decent investments.
iamru2
Same here. I was watching some docudrama and they made it sound like the last 10 years of his life were not very successful either in his personal or professional life.
michel_banen
The ins and outs of it all are private matters. George michael died, the boyfriend lost his partner and whatever went on between the two….. that’s none of our business.
leauxbeaux
Wonder if he made any arrangements for unnamed persons encountered in park men’s rooms. If not, I suppose that puts the bf on the same plane.
Tarutaru
If George really loved him, I’m sure he would have wanted him taken care of. Maybe he didn’t update his will yet… who plans to die that young? Maybe since they were together for 5 years, he was going to wait another 5 to add him to his will. See how things go. But despite not making it that far, still would have wanted him to have a little something to make sure he was ok. If the family had class? They would liquidate the $5 mansion and give Fawaz $2M in good faith.
Hussain-TheCanadian
Well this is the message i’m getting from this entire kerfuffle:
CREATE/UPDATE YOUR WILLS PEOPLE!!
Don’t leave your husbands/Boyfriends/lovers in a horrible situation like the above – Also remind your significant other to do the same. We don’t cousin who ever from lord knows where coming in wanting a share of the inheritance.
joelk57
Michael was a true talent, with that talent came narcissism which is marked by monetary control of those who chose to be near the person. They will often even control from the grave with strings. Fadi is as pointed out in previous posts not a Squatter until the legal process to remove is complete.
I feel that if he was truly left nothing then write a tell all , make his money or get paid by the family to keep all of the secrets…SECRET… simple business….Create your own spider web of strings. We are way past what GM intended he’s dead and his intentions are moot now.
1967Man
There’s also a distinct possibility that George did exactly as he wanted with HIS estate upon his death. No matter who feels entitled to what, the owner of an estate is entitled to leave the estate to whomever he wishes, be it a partner, a parent, a sibling, or a charity. No relative of the deceased is entitled to anything. A friend’s father recently left all of his estate to charities, with none of the $10 or so million going to any of his four children. My friend feels he was cheated out of $2.5 million. I don’t. I don’t think he was entitled to any of his father’s property. His father was free to do with it whatever he wanted and, presumably, he did just that.
batesmotel
Well they were together for six years so it’s not unusual that George Michael never updated his will. He likely never thought he was going to die when he did and would’ve had plenty of time to update it. Unless he had no intention of ever adding him to the will. We’ll never know.
OzJosh
It’s amazing to read so much hate for the boyfriend. However dimly you regard him, surely someone who will leave absolutely no provision for a partner they’ve lived with for five-and-a-half-years is somewhat worse. Especially when that someone is worth close to $100m. Even a paltry $1m “thanks for the good times” kiss off would have been at least vaguely decent. As for the family, if they were smart they’d either sign over the house or give an equivalent amount in cash. The alternative will almost inevitably be on-going (and expensive) legal action, very likely a nasty tell-all book (that could possibly damage George Michael’s standing and the earning capacity of his estate), and (if Fadi has the right lawyers) an eventual payout that could amount to significantly more than the cost of the house. All in all, it seems George Michael was a mean c***, and his family are all stupid c***s.
RexRed
You don’t leave your boyfriend alone and penniless. You just don’t…
cetude
that’s why marriage exists.
Bryguyf69
“You don’t leave your boyfriend alone and penniless. You just don’t…”
Alone? What does that mean? Should Michael’s dead body remain with the boyfriend to keep him company? Why are you assuming that the boyfriend is alone without friends or family?
As for penniless, if the boyfriend was a productive member of society, there’s no reason he’d be penniless. Are you implying that he was simply sponging off Michael’s estate with no income of his own? In that case, he gets no sympathy from me.
jdr11201
Oh my, well if George M., expects to get into heaven he best find a way to amend this will either a sign or divine intervention. I am certain george wasn’t expecting this to happen I mean you can’t leave your mate hanging. He did devote himself to george michael that counts for something, doesn’t it.
I do hope this ends well for all.
Bryguyf69
To those who say that their relationship was good, consider the many hateful things he posted about George. Here’s an example: “My morning thought is whatever I get from that f***ed up icon, I will find the most f***ed up, drugged up person in the street and I will give that dirty money to that most f***ed up, drugged person. I wanna sit back and watch how that dirty money is going to be spent. I can not f***ing wait.”
Chrisk
Yes I read that Fadi had a lot of anger at George. In a way I can’t blame him considering his circumstances now.
George also gave him an allowance of $10,000 per month. Usually it’s because they don’t want them to have any palimony claim later on. It essentially turns them into nothing more than an employee. We did the same thing to my mom’s boyfriend so he couldn’t get any claim to her property later on.
Bryguyf69
ChrisK – I’m not as charitable and do blame Fadi. His current situation has nothing to do with Michaels. That perspective is only valid if Michaels misled Fadi, or is somehow a victim of Michael’s. As an adult, it is Fadi who was/is responsible for his own financial security. If he thought he deserved a part of Michael’s estate then it was up to him to have negotiated it with Michael. His present situation is of his own making. He is basically left with no more, and no less, than what he had before meeting Michael. Furthermore, there is no evidence that he somehow contributed to Michael’s wealth or well-being, a reason that many spouses use in divorce settlements. He didn’t help raise kids, cook, clean house, help manage Michael’s career or contribute in any meaningful way that we know of. What he did offer was companionship and sex. But only prostitutes and escorts get paid for that, and they have no legal standing.
james7
A friend of mine with plenty of capital; ended a relationship with a much younger gay man when the youngster kept pestering him to be included in the will. And my friends response: “I pay for everything he does now, why do you think i have to continue to pay for everything he does after i’m dead?”
Chrisk
Ha. The truth of most May December romances.