Disgraced publicist Max Clifford, a convicted paedophile, has been accused of profiting from Jade Goody's final months and potentially contributing to missing millions from her estate. The Big Brother star, who died from cervical cancer in 2009 at age 27, left £3 million in trust for her two sons, Bobby and Freddie. However, sources claim that Clifford, who managed her press dealings, may have been behind financial irregularities.
In the weeks before her death, Goody sold the rights to her wedding with Jack Tweed to OK! Magazine for £700,000. A source told the Daily Mail that Clifford, who adored Goody, was focused on making a profit, acting as a 'puppeteer' and touting her around to the media despite her failing health. He reportedly earned substantial sums from magazine and TV deals, including the documentary 'Jade: With Love'.
Two years after Goody's death, her estate faced a £1.8 million tax bill, partly due to issues with her beauty salon in Essex. Jeff Brazier, the father of her sons, later said she was not good at taking financial advice. The missing millions have long been a source of speculation, with Clifford's involvement now under scrutiny.
Clifford was arrested in 2012 as part of Operation Yewtree, the investigation into sexual offences sparked by the Jimmy Savile scandal. In 2014, he was convicted of eight counts of indecent assault against four victims and sentenced to eight years in prison. He died of a heart attack in HM Prison Littlehey in December 2017, three days after collapsing in his cell. His conviction was upheld in 2019.
