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Star ‘facing up’ to the sad fact that she may have to sell up
Having lost her beloved husband earlier this month, there could be more anguish ahead for Kate Garraway, with reports that she could be forced to sell the family home, while pals have reportedly made a rota to spend time with the grieving star. Friends said that the Good Morning Britain host, 56, is “facing up to the fact” that she might have to put their London house on the market after being “wiped out financially” by long COVID victim Derek’s treatment.
Kate’s finances have taken a hit because she spent thousands of pounds a week on carers to nurse Derek over the past nearly four years. He had needed 24/7 medical attention before he lost his battle on 3 January, at the age of 56, after complications arising from a cardiac arrest in December. The presenter – who is mum to daughter Darcey, 17, and son Billy, 14 – funded two trips to Mexico where her husband of 18 years underwent pioneering specialist treatment, took time off work to care for him and adapted the house for his needs. A lift, wet room and alarm system were installed, while the ground floor was redesigned to accommodate a hospital bed and be wheelchair accessible.
Following his release from hospital in April 2021, where he had been for over a year after being diagnosed with COVID in March 2020, Derek was left largely bedbound.
“It is so sad for Kate. Not only has she had to watch her beloved husband suffer for almost four years but her financial worries have never been far from her thoughts,” a friend said. “It has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to look after Derek and do everything she could to get him better but it’s left her struggling. The house is about all she has left financially and she is now facing up to the fact it might have to be sold.” They added, “It’s where she and Derek were so happy and also where her two children grew up – but bills are bills. It’s dreadful for Kate.”
In 2022, Kate suffered further financial hardship when Derek’s psychotherapy company Astra Aspera shut down with debts of £184k, which landed her with a £716k tax bill. It came as her media company Praespero 100’s assets drop by £87k that same year.
She opened up about her money struggles last year, saying, “It’s been tough financially. As anyone with a loved one who is seriously ill knows, the costs go through the roof. You have to make changes to your home and it affects your ability to work. I had to take long periods off when Derek was first sick and it affects the overall family income, as he can’t work.”
Their home has brought Kate comfort throughout Derek’s darkest days, as she found solace in gardening. She transformed their outdoor space, creatin
