GONE TOO SOON
When did George Michael die and what was the cause of death?
Plus find out who the singer left his multi-million pound fortune to
GEORGE Michael fans around the world were left in shock when the singer suddenly passed away aged just 53.
The legendary Wham! frontman was beloved by millions, and his legacy lives on long after his untimely death.
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How and when did George Michael die?
George Michael died on Christmas Day 2016.
The singer was found dead in bed at his Oxfordshire home by his boyfriend Fadi Fawaz.
Speaking about the horrifying moment, celebrity hairstylist Fadi Fawaz said: "We were supposed to be going for Christmas lunch.
"I went round there to wake him up and he was just gone, lying peacefully in bed."
In March 2017, a senior coroner for Oxfordshire confirmed that George had died of natural causes after suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver.
When was George Michael's funeral?
George's funeral did not take place until three months after his death.
His family were forced to put plans on hold while the coroner waited for the results of toxicology tests.
The service eventually took place on March 29, 2017, and was held in the tiny 30-seat chapel at Highgate West Cemetery.
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Due to George's popularity, there was tight security at the funeral, with black tarpaulin covering the cemetery's iron gates.
No hearse was spotted entering the grounds and it's thought that the singer's body arrived inside a private ambulance.
Who attended George Michael's funeral?
The service at Highgate Cemetery was attended by family and close friends, including the singer's ex-boyfriend Kenny Goss.
Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley, former backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie, were also among the guests, along with George’s father and two sisters.
George Michael rehearses for Freddie Mercury concert with David Bowie
Shirlie's husband and George's close pal Martin Kemp was also at the funeral.
Long term friend Kate Moss was also one of the mourners at the service.
Guests also attended a wake at George's house in Hampstead after the service, which is less than a mile from where he was buried.
Who inherited George Michael's millions?
In 2019, it was revealed how George had left his £97.6million fortune to his sisters, his dad and a number of friends.
The singer's will confirmed the bulk of his estate went to his older sisters Yioda and Melanie.
In a sad turn of events, Melanie died three years to the day after her famous brother did.
George's dad, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou, a Greek-Cypriot restaurateur who had emigrated from Cyprus to England, was left a horseracing stud farm where he has lived for many years.
George's mother, Lesley Angold, died in 1997.
Seven pals and relatives including Shirlie Kemp, who was a backing singer for Wham!, and record producer David Austin, were also beneficiaries.
Where is George Michael buried?
George is buried in Highgate Cemetery, North London,
People are able to buy tickets for tours of the cemetery and pay respects to the late icon.
The cemetery holds the graves of many notable people including Philosopher Karl Marx and Charles Dickens Wife, Catherine.
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, that causes it to become stretched and thin.
It means you're unable to pump blood around your body properly.
In some cases the condition is inherited, but it can also be triggered by viral infections, uncontrolled high blood pressure and excessive alcohol consumption.
Symptoms include: