Hilary Devey, a Dragons’ Den star, reportedly did not leave a single penny of her £80 million wealth in her will.
The businesswoman built her fortune as the CEO and Chairman of Pall-Ex, the UK’s foremost palletised freight distribution network with a strong turnover of £100 million.
Her financial acumen gained her a seat on the BBC One show, where she starred with Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden between 2011 and 2013, until her death last year at the age of 65.
Devey died on June 11, 2022 in Morocco, where she had property, according to her spokeswoman, who stated that she had been ill for’some time.’
Her probate paperwork have apparently been disclosed a year after her death, which provoked an outpouring of sadness from her Dragons’ Den co-stars and business leaders.
According to the documents, which were obtained by the Daily Mail, Devey, who is survived by her son Mevlit Brewster-Ahmet, did not leave any of her health in her will, which was made in 2021.
According to the newspaper, she instead gave her big diamond cross to her friend Audrey Mulligan, and her personal things to her trustees – her son, publicist, and lawyer – to disperse as she had requested in a letter of wishes.
Following Devey’s passing, fellow Dragons Deborah, Peter, and Duncan Bannatyne praised their co-star as ‘inspirational.’
Remembering her time on and off-screen with Devey, Meaden tweeted: ‘Very sad to learn that Hilary Devey has passed away at only 65. She was unique in every way and brought grit and warmth with her into the Den. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones. RIP Hilary,’ adding that she was ‘one of a kind.’
‘Sad to hear that @HilaryDevey has passed. So young. Too young. Rest in Peace Hilary. X,’ Dunan penned, while Peter wrote: ‘So sad to hear the news that Hilary Devey has passed away. She was an inspiring woman and it was great to spend time with her on Dragons’ Den. Sending my deepest condolences to her family.’
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.
‘I would have loved the opportunity to have stood before the Dragons, and I will remember my own experiences and the realities of running a business today, when choosing to support – or reject – the budding entrepreneurs joining me in the Den.’
Devey had a big impression on the BBC show, but she didn’t stop there, making numerous further TV appearances after she left.
She appeared on shows like Secret Millionaire after donating more than £70,000 to the Back Door Music Project and the Syke Community Centre in Rochdale.
Devey has also been on Channel 4’s The Intern, Channel 5’s The Business Inspector, BBC Two’s Hilary Devey’s Women at the Top, and ITV’s Loose Women.
