Lady Wilnelia, the widow of TV icon Bruce Forsyth, has moved on from the luxurious Surrey mansion she shared with her late husband, leaving the property deserted and reportedly close to ruin. The home, known as Straidarran, is located on the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Surrey.
Life After Bruce
Bruce Forsyth lived at the property for decades before his death in 2017 at the age of 89, following a battle with bronchial pneumonia. After selling the family mansion, Wilnelia purchased another home on the same estate for approximately £3million and reportedly sold the original property to a Bermuda-based businesswoman for an estimated £5.7 million.
Wilnelia, who reportedly inherited Bruce's entire £15million estate, is now living a quiet life in her smaller Surrey home. She was last seen on television in December, when she sent a touching message to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman ahead of their departure from Strictly Come Dancing.
Message to Strictly Hosts
The message was broadcast during the spin-off programme It Takes Two. Tess had co-presented Strictly alongside Bruce from the show's debut in 2004, with Claudia assuming the role in 2013. In her message, Wilnelia said: "Hello, Tess and Claudia. Sending you both my warmest wishes as you step into this exciting new chapter. Tess, you shared so many wonderful years on Strictly with Bruce, and I know he would be so proud of you."
She continued: "And Claudia, your sparkle and wit have brought so much joy to everyone. Thank you both for the laughter, the elegance and the heart you have given to the show. All my love and the very best for the future ahead." Signing off with her husband's famous catchphrase, she added: "Don't forget, life is too short, so... keep dancing!"
Mansion Left Abandoned
Meanwhile, the marital home has been left nearly abandoned, with neighbours saying the property has remained largely unchanged, with no clear evidence of occupants or significant renovation work. An urban explorer has shown the state of the mansion, which has been left close to ruin.
One resident said the circumstances were unusual because overseas purchasers on the estate frequently demolish older properties and construct new-build mansions in their place. They told The Sun: "Normally overseas owners on the estate knock these old homes down and build a new one. So it is a very strange situation with Bruce's old home, where seemingly nothing has happened since Wilnelia sold it six years ago."
They added: "The only thing I have noticed is that security is present there, the owners certainly aren't, but that only followed break-ins." Security was apparently reinforced after urban explorers broke into the property, with police confirming reports of the incidents to the publication.
Wentworth Estate manager James Perotin previously stated the mansion was now under constant surveillance. He said: "Security has been increased at Bruce Forsyth's old house, there is now a van permanently on site, and it is monitored 24 hours a day."
