Chris Rea's final will and the substantial sum he left to his wife have been revealed. The singer, known for his festive hit Driving Home For Christmas, died just before Christmas after a short illness. Court documents show he bequeathed £14,435,894 to his wife Joan, which after taxes, debts, and expenses was reduced to £12,063,178.
Final bequest and family
His final bequest of £12 million went to his family, with the will also specifying his wish to be cremated. According to The Sun, future royalties from his music played on the radio will also go to his wife. Chris met Joan when they were teenagers and they were married for 57 years, having two daughters, Josephine and Julia.
A family statement at the time of his death read: "Singer/songwriter and guitarist, Chris Rea, passed away earlier today in hospital following a short illness. A statement on behalf of his wife and two children was released to the media this afternoon." It added: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family."
Health struggles
Chris had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent pancreas removal in 2001. In 2016, he suffered a stroke among numerous health battles. Reflecting on his health before his death, he said: "1994, most incredibly successful year, Bing! Abcess on the colon, colostomy bag. They took away the pancreas, the duodenum, the gall bladder and the left quadrant of the liver. All gone." He added: "That too me, well, I have never really got over it. Type 1 Diabetic, I have to take 34 pills every day, and then, after all of that, my kidneys' gone." He said he possessed a "very good heart".
Career highlights
The musical icon was best known for Driving Home For Christmas and other tracks such as Fool (If You Think It's Over), Let's Dance, and The Road To Hell. He rose to fame in the 70s and 80s with his slide guitar playing and crooning voice. Chris recorded 25 studio albums, two of which topped the UK Albums Chart. He also recorded a duet with Elton John titled If You Were Here With Me and was nominated for Brit Awards in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
