'Harry Potter’ star Michael Gambon bequeaths wife $1.91M inheritance, leaves nothing for mistress

LONDON, ENGLAND: Late Irish actor Sir Michael Gambon—best known as Professor Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' films—made headlines when he left his entire £1.5 million (1.906 million USD) inheritance to his wife and noticeably left out his teenage sons and long-term mistress.

The Dumbledore actor was renowned for splitting his time between his wife Lady Anne Gambon and set designer Phillipa Hart, who was 25 years his junior.

Following the actor's death in September 2023 at 82, his will was made public on Tuesday, March 5, revealing that Lady Anne, alongside their son Fergus, had inherited nearly his entire fortune, per Daily Mail.

Lady Anne is listed executor along with her son Fergus

The dad-of-three 'Harry Potter' actor's decision to leave his significant inheritance to his wife of over 60 years has stunned many as Philippa Hart, the mother of his two teenage sons, Tom and William, gets nothing.

Sir Michael—who played Professor Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts in six 'Harry Potter' films—has named Lady Anne as an executor along with her 60-year-old son Fergus.

Fergus would have inherited the £1,465,882 fortune if his mother had died before her spouse.

Hart, on the other hand, does not receive a single penny from the will that was written and executed in 2016. Hart lived openly with Sir Michael in a townhouse in West London.

The three-page document states that she had two children with the actor: Tom, 17, and William, 15, who each received a trophy and just £10,000.

Each receives a silver heart Variety Club of Great Britain stage actor award; the youngest receives the trophy presented in 2000, while the eldest receives the one handed to his father in 1987.

Sir Michael had a long-standing relationship with Hart, but his will emphasizes the differences between obligations under the law and personal relationships.

Michael Gambon divided his time between Philippa Hart and Lady Anne for two decades

Along with a large following and critical recognition, Sir Michael's career also includes a contentious familial legacy. The current disclosure raises more questions about how to strike a balance between one's private and public lives, even while his career achievements are still indisputable.

Following a case of pneumonia in September 2023, Sir Michael died at the age of 82, surrounded by his son Fergus and wife Anne. Hart met the actor for the first time in 2000 while he was filming the Channel 4 series 'Longitude'.

After just a year of acquaintance, Sir Michael—who divided his time between Hart and Lady Anne for twenty years—introduced Hart to actors Charles Dance and Maggie Smith, who co-starred with him in the 2001 motion picture 'Gosford Park'.

The couple's joint residence was reportedly abandoned by Lady Anne after learning of her husband's extramarital affair. However, she later accepted the arrangement and returned to their Gravesend residence.

To give himself a break from his business, the actor maintained a separate residence in London. Before his death, it is believed that Sir Michael and Hart had not been together for a while.