Following the death of her husband Derek Draper, the ‘broken’ star is now facing further challenges
WORDS: ARIANA LONGSON
Hearts broke across the nation when Kate Garraway announced that her beloved husband Derek had sadly passed away aged just 56, after complications following a heart attack, almost four years after he fell seriously ill with COVID-19. The Good Morning Britain presenter, 56, shared the tragic news with her social media followers, writing, ‘Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed… Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.’
Now, as a ‘broken’ and ‘exhausted’ Kate – who shared Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, with her husband of 18 years – prepares to face life as a family of three, she also has logistical stresses to deal with behind the scenes. According to a friend, Kate is facing more misery over ‘financial worries’ and the possibility of losing the family home she shared with Derek.
Fresh obstacles
Kate, who previously revealed her fears that the ‘money will run out’, is thought to have been ‘wiped out financially’ after redesigning her £4 million north London home to cater for Derek’s every need.
In a new interview, a friend of Kate has opened up about the tough decisions the star now faces. ‘It is so sad for Kate. 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,’ they said, adding, ‘The house is about all she has left financially and she is now facing up to the fact it might have to be sold. It’s where she and Derek were so happy and also where her two children grew up – but bills are bills and they have to be paid. It’s dreadful for Kate.’
As well as installing a lift and a wet room in the property, Kate is also thought to have spent thousands on specialised help for Derek, who was in a wheelchair and needed round-theclock care. On top of that, prior to Derek suffering his fatal cardiac arrest, the couple flew to Mexico twice for him to have pioneering treatment.
Last year, Kate herself admitted that things had been ‘tough financially’. She shared, ‘As anyone with a loved one who is seriously ill knows, the costs go through the roof in so m
