George Michael’s ex-boyfriend wins share of his £97 million fortune after lengthy legal battle
The late George Michael and his partner Kenny Goss. (Junko Kimura/Getty Images)
George Michael’s former partner Kenny Goss will receive a share of the late singer’s £97 million estate following a years-long court battle with his estate.
It’s a massive about-turn from the Wham! singer’s trustees who, after vowing that Goss would never “get a penny”, have now reached an agreement with him.
Goss had initially asked for payments of £15,000 per month after Michael’s death. He claimed the star had financially supported him even after their split in 2009, with Goss saying he had given up his career for their relationship.
However, Michael left nothing to his former partner in his will. Goss in turn sued Michael’s trustees, which includes members of the star’s family.
Hoping to escape a heated public court battle, the Mirror confirmed that both parties have agreed to settle on a “confidential” basis.
According to court documents filed at London’s High Court of Justice, both sides will pay their lawyer’s costs.
Judge Francesca Kaye signed in the order that the terms of the settlement are strictly secret and only the lawyers will be permitted to hold copies of it.
“All further proceedings in the claim be stayed except for the purpose of carrying the terms of the confidential schedule into effect,” she wrote.
Kenny Goss and George Michael are seen on October 15, 2009 in London, England. (Mark Milan/FilmMagic)
Kenny Goss originally sued George Michael’s sisters Melanie and Yioda, father Kyriacos Panayiotou and Christopher Organ, Michael’s representative and now co-executive of his estate, under the Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependents) Act 1975.
The act allows those who are financially dependant on someone to claim from their estate even if they are left out of the will.
Melanie’s tragic passing on in Christmas Day 2019 briefly held up the case in the courts.
Goss was, sources told the Mirror, effectively a “stay-at-home husband”.
The pair first met at the Los Angeles restaurant in 1996, with Goss going onto describe Michael as the “love of his life”.
They called it quits in 2009, but both remained so tightly lipped about it that George Michael only revealed they had broken up three years later at a gig.
“In truth, Kenny and I haven’t been together for two and a half years,” he said. “I love him very much. This man has brought me a lot of joy and pain.
“My love life has been a lot more turbulent than I’ve ever let on, and I’m so sad about my relationship with Kenny.
“I’m sorry for any pain.”
