George Michael’s late sister left just a fraction of £98m inheritance behind

Dominique Hines
·1-min read

George Michael’s late sister Melanie Panayiotou left just £6.2m behind after inheriting a share of the superstar’s £98m fortune.

Hairdresser Panayiotou, 59, was found dead on Christmas Day in 2019, much like her brother who passed away on the same day in 2016 at age 53.

Her body was discovered at the singer’s home in Highgate, north west London.

Last week, three years after her death, London’s High Court finally issued a probate to the family about her financial affairs.

George Michael - In pictures

An iconic shot of George Michael, when he was performing at Live Aid in 1985 (PA)
An iconic shot of George Michael, when he was performing at Live Aid in 1985 (PA)
With Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley in March 1984 (PA)
With Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley in March 1984 (PA)
The pair in October 1984 (PA)
The pair in October 1984 (PA)
Wham! at Heathrow on their way to play in Japan in January 1985 (PA)
Wham! at Heathrow on their way to play in Japan in January 1985 (PA)
On stage for Wham's last sell out concert at Wembley Stadium in June 1986 (PA)
On stage for Wham's last sell out concert at Wembley Stadium in June 1986 (PA)
Michael collecting his Ivor Novello award at London's Grosvenor House in 1989 for his album Faith as international hit of the year (PA)
Michael collecting his Ivor Novello award at London's Grosvenor House in 1989 for his album Faith as international hit of the year (PA)
With BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Wright in August 1990 (PA)
With BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Wright in August 1990 (PA)
Singing onstage at Wembley for the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in April 1992 (PA)
Singing onstage at Wembley for the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in April 1992 (PA)
Talking to Princes Diana ahead of a concert of Hope at Wembley Arena in London, to mark World Aids Day in December 1993. Diana was patron of the National Aids Trust. Mick Hucknall looks on (PA)
Talking to Princes Diana ahead of a concert of Hope at Wembley Arena in London, to mark World Aids Day in December 1993. Diana was patron of the National Aids Trust. Mick Hucknall looks on (PA)
Leaving Westminster Abbey after Diana's funeral in September 1997 (PA)
Leaving Westminster Abbey after Diana's funeral in September 1997 (PA)
Looking dapper at a press conference in September 1999 (PA)
Looking dapper at a press conference in September 1999 (PA)

Probate papers issued showed Panayiotou’s estate was valued at £6.2million after her affairs were settled, according to The Sun.

The bulk of the star’s estate is said to have been left to her and their sister Yioda, now 63.

A post-mortem revealed that Panayiotou died from diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication caused by lack of insulin and sky-high blood sugar.

It has been said her health was affected by her inability to overcome her brother’s death.

Tributes left outside the home of the late George Michael in The Grove, Highgate in December 201, where his sister’s body was found three years later (Getty Images)
Tributes left outside the home of the late George Michael in The Grove, Highgate in December 201, where his sister’s body was found three years later (Getty Images)

She was described by friends as fiercely private and protective of the singer, and would often accompany him on tours when he was in Wham!

Two days before her death, she sent a message to his fans in a joint statement with Yioda, father Jack and Michael’s manager David Austin.

In it, the family asked that people continue to do “good deeds in his memory.”

The Careless Whispers singer died at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, from heart and liver disease.

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