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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Connie Rusk

George Michael's sister who inherited share of £98m fortune leaves just £6m behind

George Michael's late sister Melanie Panayiotou left just £6million behind after inheriting the star's fortune before dying without a will.

Melanie, 59, was found dead on Christmas Day in 2019 - in a tragic echoing of her brother’s passing on the same day in 2016.

George, 53, who also passed away on Christmas Day, died at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, from heart and liver disease.

A vast portion of his estate - including a £98million fortune - was left to his sisters Melanie and Yioda, now 63.

Three years on, London's High Court finally issued a probate to the family about Melanie's financial affairs last week.

George Michael's late sister Melanie Panayiotou left just £6million behind after dying without a will (PIP-Landmark Media)

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

Melanie's body was discovered at her £6.2million home in Hampstead, north west London, which previously belonged to George.

But her cause of death has remained shrouded in mystery with a family source at the time claiming Melanie - who was exceptionally close to her singer brother - had died from a broken heart.

A post-mortem was later carried out and revealed Melanie died from diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication caused by lack of insulin and sky-high blood sugar. Diabetes was given as an underlying cause of death.

Melanie Panayiotou died exactly three years after her brother (Getty)

A private woman with a low profile, Melanie was known for accompanying her brother on tours when he was in Wham!

She was reportedly buried in Highgate Cemetery next to her mother Leslie and her brother George's unmarked grave.

Mourners at the private ceremony included Shirlie Kemp, who was also in Wham! and her husband Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp.

Two days before her death, Melanie sent a message to her brothers' fans in a joint statement with her sister Yioda, father Jack and George's manager David Austin.

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

They added: 'We know how much his lyrics can offer support when things are tough and help celebrate when times are good and life is going well... and that is just as powerful now as if he were still with us and as many of you say in your messages, it's a gift.”

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