Hilary Devey ’s son has paid a moving tribute to the former Dragons’ Den star, saying: “My mum was with my for my first breaths and I was with her for her last.”
Hilary had son Mevlit Brewster-Ahmet with Turkish businessman Hussein Ahmet.
Mevlit said in a statement released by Hilary’s lawyer Chris Waters at Meaby & Co Solicitors: “She was a beautiful woman, a beautiful person and a beautiful mum with a beautiful heart.
“We were together from start right up until the end. We helped each other through the worst times in our lives and the best times. It was always me and my mum against the world as we watched over each other in our own way.
“She was my shining light in my darkest days and I was her protector in her darkest days.
“She helped so many people in her life - so please everyone never forget about my beautiful mum and pray that she is now in a better place, happy and content and comfortable.
“My mum was with my for my first breaths and I was with her for her last. Rest in peace Mum - I will never stop loving you.”
Hilary spoke previously about looking after her son, when he was addicted to heroin. “The hardest work I’ve ever done is pulling my son back from the grip of heroin,” she said in 2011.
Hilary died aged 65 on Saturday, after a long illness, in Morocco, where she had a property.
She joined BBC Two programme Dragons’ Den in 2011 and left in 2012, going on to present Channel 4 ’s The Intern.
Hannah Wyatt, managing director of factual entertainment and events at BBC Studios, said last week: “Hilary Devey will always hold a unique place in the hearts of Dragons’ Den viewers and the programme team.
“We are all extremely saddened by her loss and our thoughts at this time are with her family and friends.”
In 2013 she was made a CBE, honoured for a career in business and for her charitable work.
She founded the multimillion-pound freight distribution business Pall-Ex, after selling her home and car in the 1990s to finance it.
Her charity work included her position as vice president of the Carers Trust and she was also a patron of the Stroke Association, having herself suffered a stroke in 2009.
Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: “We are sad to hear that Hilary Devey has died after a long illness.
“After having a stroke herself, she was a long-time ambassador of the Stroke Association and we are very grateful for all the support she gave us over the years.
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“Hilary was keen that all stroke survivors received the help and support they need to rebuild their lives after stroke. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”
Devey also appeared in The Business Inspector on Channel 5, and featured in Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire in 2008.
Devey was born in Bolton, and from the age of seven started helping out in the pubs and corner shop run by her parents.
She left school at 16 and later moved to London for work, where she worked in logistics for companies include TNT.
Devey came to public attention when she replaced James Caan on Dragon’s Den, later saying her best investment had been a mattress/duvet for caravans, boats and trucks.
In 2017, Devey gave up cigarettes after reportedly smoking “at least 20 a day for over 40 years”.
“I’ve been hooked on cigarettes and ignoring the damage - even though I know the harm I’m doing,” she said at the time.
“I’ve found it extremely difficult to quit for good.”
She published her autobiography, Bold As Brass: My Story, in 2012, which charted her life from her humble beginnings as a Bolton girl remembering the bailiffs calling when her father’s central heating business went bankrupt, to the multimillionaire businesswoman she became with properties in Spain, Marrakech and Florida.
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