Fawlty Towers Prunella Scales left more than £3 million

Prunella passed away in October 2025. <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Prunella passed away in October 2025. (Image: PA)
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Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales left more than £3 million in her will.

The actress, best known for her role as Sybil Fawlty in the classic 1970s sitcom, died in October 2025 at the age of 93.

Probate documents released on Thursday, August 13, revealed she left assets worth £3,376,585 in the UK.

Her net estate was valued at £3,166,554 after liabilities were settled.

The Fawlty Towers star left more than £3 million in her will. (Image: PA)

Prunella Scales left more than £3 million in her will

Scales had been living with vascular dementia since 2013.

Her will, drafted in October 2020, included donations to several charities.

She left £10,000 to the Snipe Charitable Trust, which supports arts education and training for young people.

She also gifted £5,000 to the Combined Theatrical Charities Appeal of the Council for the King George V Fund for Actors, and £1,000 each to the Royal Horticultural Society and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Her two goddaughters each received £2,000.

The remainder of the estate was placed in trust, with 40% each going to her sons Samuel and Joseph, and 20% to her stepdaughter Juliet, the daughter of her late husband, actor Timothy West.

An amendment to the will in 2024 stated that these shares could be reduced if any of the beneficiaries had received significant gifts from her or Timothy during their lifetime.

This specifically referenced £300,000 given to Samuel for home renovations.

Scales also asked that the sale of her home be delayed for up to a year to give her grandson Clement, who was living there at the time, time to relocate.

Her sons announced her death last October.

In a joint statement, Samuel and Joseph said: "Our darling mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday. She was 93.

"Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home.

"She was watching Fawlty Towers the day before she died.

"Pru was married to Timothy West for 61 years.

"He died in November 2024.

"She is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"We would like to thank all those who gave Pru such wonderful care at the end of her life: her last days were comfortable, contented and surrounded by love."

Despite her iconic role in Fawlty Towers, Scales once admitted in a 1995 interview with Radio Times that TV sitcoms were not her favourite type of work.

She said: "It's a dreadful thing to say – because I suppose I earn the bulk of my living from them – but TV sitcoms are my least favourite form of work."

What was your favourite Prunella Scales moment? Let us know in the comments.

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