Michael Gambon, best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, had an affair with set decorator Philippa Hart while remaining married to Lady Anne Gambon. The actor, who died in 2023, kept the relationship private, and details emerged only after his death.
Two families, one secret
Gambon met Hart, who was 25 years his junior, on the set of the Channel 4 series Longitude in 2000. He introduced her to his co-stars on Gosford Park in 2001 as his "girlfriend" and "the love of my life," despite being married to Anne.
According to The Telegraph, Lady Gambon was initially devastated when she learned of the affair, which prompted Gambon to move out of their home in Kent. However, as a devout Catholic, she was not open to divorce, and the couple agreed to an arrangement where Gambon balanced two worlds: one with his wife and one with his girlfriend.
Will and legacy
Gambon remained married to Anne for 61 years, and they shared a son, Fergus. With Hart, he had two sons, Tom (born in 2007) and Will (born in 2009), and he moved Hart to a property in Chiswick.
In his will, published in 2024, Gambon left £1.5 million to Lady Gambon and nothing to Hart, from whom he had reportedly split before his death. His younger sons, Tom and Will, were left £10,000 each, along with some of his most prestigious acting awards. Had Anne predeceased him, his estate would have gone to their son, Fergus.
