October 19th 2023.
Hilary Devey, the former star of Dragons' Den, reportedly did not name a beneficiary of her £80million fortune when she passed away last year.
The 65-year-old entrepreneur had built 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. She was also remembered fondly by her castmates on the BBC One programme, who described her as an 'inspirational' figure when news of her death spread.
Probate documents obtained by the Daily Mail have reportedly revealed that Devey did not leave a penny of her wealth behind. However, it appears that she left a necklace 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.
Devey had a great impact during her time on Dragons' Den and was also seen on other TV shows. She donated over £70,000 to the Back Door Music Project and the Syke Community Centre in Rochdale on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire. She also appeared on Channel 5’s The Business Inspector, BBC Two miniseries Hilary Devey’s Women at the Top and ITV’s Loose Women.
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.’
The story of Devey's death sparked an outpouring of grief from her Dragons’ Den co-stars and leading figures in business, and she will certainly be remembered for her contributions to business and television.
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