Beatles producer Sir George Martin left an estate worth more than £1million following his death at 90 but his eldest son is NOT in the will after a family rift 

  • Beatles producer Sir George Martin left an estate worth more than £1m
  • Sir George, often described as 'The Fifth Beatle', died in March aged 90
  • He helped The Beatles achieve global success, producing early 1960s hits
  • Left money to seven people including daughter, grandchildren and wife
  • But has not left any money to eldest son and 'pittance' to first daughter 

Beatles producer Sir George Martin left an estate worth more than £1million but failed to leave anything to his eldest son following a rift that has torn the family apart.

Father-of-four Sir George, often described as 'The Fifth Beatle', died peacefully at his home in Coleshill, near Swindon, in March aged 90.

He helped The Beatles achieve global success, producing their early 1960s pop recordings and classic albums Revolver and Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

It has now emerged that he left a £1million estate in his will, with the majority of it being left to his second wife Judy.

Father-of-four Sir George Martin, often described as 'The Fifth Beatle' (pictured with Sir Paul McCartney), died peacefully at his home in Coleshill, near Swindon, in March aged 90. It has now emerged he left a £1million estate with much of it being awarded to his second wife Judy

Father-of-four Sir George Martin, often described as 'The Fifth Beatle' (pictured with Sir Paul McCartney), died peacefully at his home in Coleshill, near Swindon, in March aged 90. It has now emerged he left a £1million estate with much of it being awarded to his second wife Judy

Sir George has left a £1million estate in his will, with the majority of it being left to his second wife Judy. Seven other people - including his daughter and former chauffeur - will get a share

Sir George has left a £1million estate in his will, with the majority of it being left to his second wife Judy. Seven other people - including his daughter and former chauffeur - will get a share

He specified that an amount small enough to avoid UK inheritance tax should shared between seven people, including his daughter Alexis - from his first marriage to Jean 'Sheena' Chisholm - and three of his grandchildren.

His former chauffeur, his secretary, and a niece are also recipients.

However, his wayward older son Greg, with whom he had a troubled relationship, has not been left a penny.

The rest of his estate has been left to Judy and the document states that if she had died before Sir George, her bequest would have gone to their children Lucie and Giles 'in equal shares absolutely'.

Giles Martin is the musical director of the long-running, Beatles-based Cirque Du Soleil show LOVE in Las Vegas, which grosses millions of dollars a year.

The will has added to enormous friction in the Martin family, with his first wife Sheena and two children – Alexis and Greg - now no longer speaking to Judy, Lucie and Giles.

Sir George abandoned Sheena, his wife of 14 years, and their children, for a new life with his glamorous office secretary Judy and went on to have two more children with her.

Sir George Martin (right) married Judy Lockhart-Smith (left)  and had two more children, Lucie (pictured centre) and Giles

Sir George Martin (right) married Judy Lockhart-Smith (left) and had two more children, Lucie (pictured centre) and Giles

Following his death in March, long-standing tensions between the two sides of the family have deepened.

At its heart are the terms of the will and the fact he left a small share to Alexis, nothing to Greg and much of the rest of the estate to his 'second family'.

Sir George stated in his will: 'I give free of tax to my trustees such sum as at my death equals the maximum amount which could be given by this will without inheritance tax becoming payable in respect of my estate.' That 'maximum amount', according to tax law, is £325,000.

Alexis is left 21 per cent of the sum, so she can expect £68,250. His grandson Connor Martin, son of Greg, gets the same.

Alexis's son Saul, Martin's oldest grandchild, is left 16 per cent, or £52,000, as is Saul's sister Natasha. Sandra Parrott, Martin's niece, will receive £45,500, while the producer's former secretary and his driver, Shirley Burns and John Grover, share equally the remaining money, at most £39,000.

The rest of his estate goes to his 87-year old widow Judy.

Alexis has previously spoken out over her upset at the division of the will, even emailing Sir George's other children Giles and Lucie to bemoan the 'pittance' she received. 

Sir George left his wife Sheena of 14 years and their two children Alexis (pictured) and Greg for a new life with his glamorous secretary. Alexis claims she has received 'pittance' from h is will

Sir George left his wife Sheena of 14 years and their two children Alexis (pictured) and Greg for a new life with his glamorous secretary. Alexis claims she has received 'pittance' from h is will

Second son Greg has not been left anything by his father Sir George (pictured together above)

Second son Greg has not been left anything by his father Sir George (pictured together above)

In one emotional email to Lucie, she wrote: 'There were so many examples I could cite over the years both big and small, of how we were . . . treated as second class compared to you two and your kids. 'I know it is an uncomfortable thought for you to address but let us not beat about the bush here: the inequality is stark. 

'The amount of £68,000 is . . . a pittance compared with what Dad owned. Do you and Giles honestly expect to receive the same amount from Dad's estate? I urge you to think about this fairly.'

Lucie replied that there was a gulf between Alexis's perception of her father's wealth and the reality. And that has been the sisters' last contact.

The will is one of 41 million stored and digitised by Iron Mountain on behalf of HM Courts & Tribunals Service.

At the time of Sir George's death, Sir Paul McCartney described him as a 'true gentleman and like a second father to me', while Ringo Starr praised the producer's 'love and kindness' to the Fab Four through the years.

'If anyone earned the title of the Fifth Beatle it was George,' Sir Paul said.

He added: 'From the day that he gave The Beatles our first recording contract, to the last time I saw him, he was the most generous, intelligent and musical person I've ever had the pleasure to know.'

In 1962 George made the first decision that changed his life for ever by being the only record label to agree to sign The Beatles. He is pictured with the band in 1963 receiving a silver disc

In 1962 George made the first decision that changed his life for ever by being the only record label to agree to sign The Beatles. He is pictured with the band in 1963 receiving a silver disc

Sir George helped the Beatles achieve global success as the head of the Parlophone record label after hearing their demo tape in 1962. He is pictured with Ringo Starr in 2005

Sir George helped the Beatles achieve global success as the head of the Parlophone record label after hearing their demo tape in 1962. He is pictured with Ringo Starr in 2005

In a career spanning seven decades, Sir George, who celebrated his 90th birthday in January, signed the Beatles and produced more than 700 records - remaining one of the most influential producers in popular music history.

Often called 'the Fifth Beatle', he gave the Beatles their first recording contract and produced virtually all of their music.

At that point the band consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best. The Liverpool quartet had been turned down by every record company as they tried to make it in the music business.

But when Martin - then head of the Parlophone label - heard their demo tape in 1962, and attended an audition session, a partnership was born which, with the addition of Starr later that year, would turn the Fab Four into the world's greatest band and change the face of popular music forever.

Following his death, his family released a statement thanking 'everyone for their thoughts, prayers and messages of support'.

His manager Adam Sharp paid tribute to him as 'a true gentleman to the end'.

In a statement Mr Sharp said: 'In a career that spanned seven decades he was an inspiration to many and is recognised globally as one of music's most creative talents. He was a true gentleman to the end.' 

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