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Sir Michael Gambon has left his £1.5million estate to his wife, leaving nothing to his girlfriend, Philippa, with whom he shared two teenage children.
The Dumbledore actor, who has died aged 82, openly divided his time between Lady Anne Gambon and set designer Phillipa Hart, who was 25 years his junior.
His will, published on March 5, revealed that almost his entire fortune passed to his wife Anne.
His long-term girlfriend Philippa refused to tell the Daily Mail whether she knew she had been left out of the actor’s will.
But who is the late actor’s long-term girlfriend? MailOnline takes a look at the life of set designer Philippa Hart.
Harry Potter actor Sir Michael Gambon notoriously shared his time with his wife and long-term girlfriend Philippa Hart (pictured with Philippa in 2014).
The actor’s will revealed that she had been snubbed from his will. But who is the set designer Philippa Hart? (pictured in 2012)
Who is Philippa Hart?
Known to the public as Sir Michael Gambon’s mistress, Philippa Hart is a set designer.
He has helped with the sets for a variety of iconic films including Nanny McPhee, Scoop, Harold Fry’s Unlikely Pilgrimage, Sense And Sensibility and The Hours.
His portfolio also includes work on the historical drama miniseries A Very British Scandal and Doctor Zhivago.
Michael and Philippa first locked eyes while working on the Channel 4 series Longitude more than two decades ago in 2000.
According SunThe Harry Potter actor who played the iconic character Dumbledore openly referred to Philippa as his girlfriend on the Gosford Park set.
The set designer, born in 1965, was 25 years younger than the decorated actor.
Did Michael Gambon have a wife?
Although Michael openly referred to Philippa as his girlfriend, he was married to Lady Anne Gambon (pictured).
Michael and Anne married in 1962, when the actor was 22 years old (pictured: Michael and Anne in 2008)
Although Michael openly introduced Philippa as his girlfriend to the likes of Charles Dance and Maggie Smith, the actor was also married to another woman.
In 1962, Michael married his wife Anne, née Miller, at the age of 22.
Lady Gambon is passionate about creating her own ceramics, as well as bookbinding.
The retired mathematician was reportedly devastated by the news of her husband’s extramarital affair.
The married couple resided in their £5 million Kent home for most of their marriage.
However, Lady Gambon briefly moved out of her family home following news of his relationship with Philippa Hart.
Anne and Michael share a son called Fergus, 60, who is a ceramics expert.
The 60-year-old, head of Bonham’s ceramics and glass department, regularly appears on the BBC’s Antique Roadshow.
Do Michael Gambon and Philippa Hart have children?
In total, the late actor has three children, one with his wife Anne Miller and two with his girlfriend Philippa.
Michael’s second son Tom, who he shares with Philippa, was born in 2007 when the actor was 66 years old.
Their second son, Will, came into the world in 2009.
Lady Anne Gambon and the Harry Potter actor share a son called Fergus, 60 (pictured), who is an expert in ceramics.
Michael has three children in total. He shares his children Tom and Will with his girlfriend Philippa (left to right: Philippa, Tom and Michael)
How did Michael Gambon die?
Michael Gambon died as a result of pneumonia on September 28, 2023 at the age of 82.
It is believed that Sir Michael and Hart had not been together for some time before his passing.
When he died, a statement was issued on behalf of Lady Gambon and Fergus saying: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.
‘Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a attack of pneumonia. Michael was 82 years old.
“We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and we thank you for your messages of support and love.”
Michael was well known for his iconic acting roles, including his portrayal of Professor Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter.
The actor signed up to be part of the third film after the actor who originally played the role, Richard Harries, died from Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2002.
He appeared in all of the Harry Potter films until the finale, The Deathly Hallows Part Two, was released in 2011.
The Dumbledore actor passed away on September 28, 2023 at the age of 82 due to pneumonia (pictured as Dumbledore).
His film credits include Uncle Pastuzo in Paddington, William McCordle in Gosford Park and Franklin Bean in Fantastic Mr Fox.
He was nominated for 13 Olivier Awards, appeared in countless productions of William Shakespeare and particularly excelled in Othello.
He also starred in a number of successful television shows and in 1968 won an audition to be the next James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service after Sean Connery quit.
However, Michael told producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli: “I don’t have pretty hair and I’m a little fat” and the role went to George Lazenby.