George Michael’s reclusive last months – and the millions he secretly gave away
Christmas Day tragedy as troubled star killed by heart failure at 53
George Michael’s heartbroken boyfriend last night revealed how he found the singer dead on Christmas Day.
Hairstylist Fadi Fawaz said he would ‘never forget’ finding him ‘dead, peacefully in bed’ at his oxfordshire home on Sunday.
The superstar’s former long-term partner Kenny Goss also paid an emotional tribute last night, revealing that he had been left ‘heartbroken’ at the death of his ‘long-time love’.
It came as details emerged of the Wham! star’s philanthropy, which saw him give away millions.
Michael, 53, died from heart failure at his £4million bolthole where he had lived as a virtual recluse in recent months following years of ill-health and battles with crack cocaine addiction.
Friends said he had withdrawn from public life as he attempted to turn his life around, and wanted to overcome his struggles with drugs and alcohol to start performing again. on a day of extraordinary revelations:
Celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna and Sir elton John led tributes;
Sobbing fans left their own memorials outside his homes in London and oxfordshire;
Campaigners praised his work for gay equality and for HIV and Aids awareness;
Music streaming sites said global plays of his solo music had leapt 3,158 per cent in 24 hours.
Michael’s boyfriend Mr Fawaz said: ‘We were
‘I will never stop missing you’
supposed to be going for Christmas lunch. I went round there to wake him up and he was just gone, lying peacefully in bed. We don’t know what happened yet.’
He told the Daily Telegraph: ‘everything had been very complicated recently, but George was looking forward to Christmas, and so was I. Now everything is ruined. I want people to remember him the way he was – he was a beautiful person.’
The London-based hairstylist tweeted that he would ‘never stop missing’ the singer.
Mr Fawaz was seen at the £4million home in Goring-on-Thames on Christmas eve. Michael’s former partner Mr Goss was also a frequent visitor and there had been speculation the two men had rekindled their 13-year relationship.
Mr Goss, an art dealer from Dallas, Texas, said: ‘I’m heartbroken with the news that my dear friend and longtime love George Michael has passed. He was a major part of my life and I loved him very, very much. He was an extremely kind and generous man. The beautiful memories and music he brought to the world will always be an important part of my life and those who loved and admired him.’
Michael had become increasingly reliant on both men after he was plagued by ill-health following years of cannabis and crack cocaine abuse. Neighbours said he had appeared unwell during rare visits to shops and restaurants, and friends told how he had avoided being seen as his weight ballooned to around 16 stone.
Michael, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, sold more than 100million albums during a career which spanned almost four decades, but battled a troubled personal life. Struggles to hide his own sexuality and cope with his fame led to fears for his life as he experimented with alcohol and drugs.
The singer’s health declined, he suffered repeated colds and illnesses, and a routine medical assessment ruled he was ‘too risky’ to get insurance for a planned comeback tour. A source said: ‘His medical report made him too high-risk and the idea had to be scrapped.’
Mr Goss and Lebanese-born Mr Fawaz were both spotted running errands for the star at his homes in Goring and Highgate, north London. Food was delivered to the oxfordshire cottage in the days before his death, apparently ahead of planned Christmas Day celebrations.
An ambulance crew arrived at the cottage at 1.42pm on Christmas Day. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances. His manager said he had suffered a heart failure.
He had had a near-fatal bout of pneumonia in 2011, when doctors had to perform a tracheotomy. experts will examine whether his years of drug abuse could have contributed to his early death, despite his recent lifestyle overhaul.
A family friend said: ‘everyone is utterly heartbroken because George had been in such good spirits, and had really tried to turn his life around. He hardly went out, but much of that was because he simply did not crave the limelight any more and just wanted a quiet life...’
His father, Cypriot-born Kyriacos Panayiotou, 80, and his two older sisters Yioda and Melanie were said to be devastated.