Hilary Devey reportedly didn’t name a beneficiary of her wealth (Picture: BBC)
Dragons’ Den star Hilary Devey reportedly didn’t leave a single penny of her £80million fortune in her will.
The entrepreneur amassed her riches after building her portfolio as the CEO and Chairman of Pall-Ex, the UK’s leading palletised freight distribution network, which enjoyed a healthy turnover of £100million.
Her business prowess later earned her a spot on the BBC One programme, on which she appeared alongside the likes of Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden between 2011 and 2013 before her death last year aged 65.
Devey died on June 11, 2022 in Morocco, where she had a property, with her spokesperson saying in a statement she had been unwell for ‘some time.’
A year on from her death, which sparked an outpouring of grief from her Dragons’ Den co-stars and leading figures in business, her probate documents have reportedly been published.
According to the documents, which were obtained by the Daily Mail, Devey, who is survived by her son Mevlit Brewster-Ahmet, did not leave any of her health in her will, which was made in 2021.
She left a necklace to her friend and her personal effects to her trustees (Picture: BBC)
The publication reports she instead left her large diamond cross to her friend Audrey Mulligan, and her personal effects to her trustees – her son, publicist and lawyer – so they could distribute them as she had wanted in a letter of wishes.
After Devey’s death was announced, fellow Dragons including Deborah, Peter and Duncan Bannatyne remembered their co-star as ‘inspirational.’
Remembering her time on and off-screen with Devey, Meaden tweeted: ‘Very sad to learn that Hilary Devey has passed away at only 65. She was unique in every way and brought grit and warmth with her into the Den. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones. RIP Hilary,’ adding that she was ‘one of a kind.’
Devey accrued her wealth after building a palletised freight distribution network (Picture: PA)
‘Sad to hear that @HilaryDevey has passed. So young. Too young. Rest in Peace Hilary. X,’ Dunan penned, while Peter wrote: ‘So sad to hear the news that Hilary Devey has passed away. She was an inspiring woman and it was great to spend time with her on Dragons’ Den. Sending my deepest condolences to her family.’
In 2011, Devey explained why she wanted to get involved with the popular series, saying: ‘In order to set-up Pall-Ex in the mid-nineties, I had to sell my house and car to get the start-up capital necessary to fulfil my business ambitions, as none of the banks appreciated my potential.
‘I would have loved the opportunity to have stood before the Dragons, and I will remember my own experiences and the realities of running a business today, when choosing to support – or reject – the budding entrepreneurs joining me in the Den.’
Devey shot to fame on Dragons’ Den and appeared on other TV shows (Picture: Getty)
Devey had a great impact during her time on the BBC show but did not stop there, making several other TV appearances after her exit.
She featured on the likes of Secret Millionaire when she donated over £70,000 to the Back Door Music Project and the Syke Community Centre in Rochdale.
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Devey has also been seen on Channel 4’s The Intern, Channel 5’s The Business Inspector and BBC Two miniseries Hilary Devey’s Women at the Top, as well as ITV’s Loose Women.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Devey’s representatives for comment.
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Devey died in 2022 after battling a long illness.
