Dragons’ Den star Devey, 65, dies after long illness
FORMER Dragons’ Den star Hilary Devey has died at 65 after a long illness.
The self-made multi-millionaire passed away at her holiday home in Morocco on Saturday, having been “ill for some time”, Benjamin Webb, her publicist said.
Ms Devey had an estimated net worth of £80million after making her fortune through Pall-ex, her freight distribution business which she founded in 1996.
She was best known for her role in BBC Two programme Dragons’ Den in 2011 and left in 2012, going on to present Channel 4’s The Intern.
In 2013 she was made a CBE, honoured for a career in business and for her charitable work.
Hannah Wyatt, managing director of factual entertainment and events at BBC Studios, said: “Hilary Devey will always hold a unique place in the hearts of Dragons’ Den viewers and the programme team.
Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne, who was on the show for a decade, appearing alongside Devey, tweeted: “Sad to hear that @Hilarydevey has passed. So young. Too young. Rest in Peace Hilary.”
Businessman Theo Paphitis, who also appeared on Dragons’ Den at the same time as Devey, also remembered her. He tweeted: “So sad to hear of the passing of the lovely Hilary Devey… May she rest in peace.”
In 2014, Ms Devey revealed her health problems since suffering a stroke five years prior, which caused her to “lose a third of her brain”.