It has been 20 years since the death of Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend George Best, who died with huge debts
George Best
George Best sadly passed away in 2005(Image: Getty)
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George Best enjoyed a brilliant career at the highest level of football and is widely regarded as one of the finest players ever to grace the field. Nevertheless, alongside the celebrity status and wealth came battles with alcohol addiction and an unhealthy way of life that caused numerous problems in his later years and eventually led to his passing at 59.
It is precisely two decades since Best died from multiple organ failure. He was originally taken to Cromwell Hospital suffering from flu-like symptoms before a kidney infection became too severe to overcome. His passing left his family heartbroken but tragically the Northern Irishman owed £450,000 in debts.
Despite earning substantial wages throughout a magnificent footballing career, Best's extravagant way of life came at a hefty cost and there were numerous unpaid bills across different areas of his existence.
The private London hospital where he passed away was owed £300,000, whilst it is also understood that the Manchester United icon's Chelsea apartment had an outstanding mortgage of £100,000.
Additionally, as a final instalment from their divorce, ex-wife Alex was reportedly due £50,000. At the time, a source revealed: "When all the debts are paid off, all George's family are likely to inherit are memories."
A tragic reality came to light following the football legend's death, with The Observer revealing that the former San Jose Earthquakes player had received complimentary medical treatment because he was bankrupt and could not afford to pay. Medical professionals had projected that the treatment would have cost well over £100,000.
This wasn't the first instance of the hospital's generosity, as they didn't seek payment during his initial stay in 2001.
Soccer - Soccer Legend George Best
George Best left huge debts
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Liver specialist Professor Roger Williams, who oversaw Best's treatment since the start of the millennium, confirmed that he did not charge the football icon during his time at the hospital.
Best earned his income from after-dinner speaking engagements and appearances on Sky Sports. However, due to deteriorating health in his later years, he was unable to work and passed away penniless.
Sky told The Observer: "George worked for us for about 10 years. We had a pay-per-play arrangement with him - he got a fee when he guested on our Soccer Saturday show. But he hadn't appeared on that for about two seasons."
It is also believed that he didn't own any properties, with his wife Alex owning the two homes they shared until their separation in 2002.
Best was survived by his son Calum, to whom he could only leave a watch. It was disclosed that once the debts were settled, any remaining funds would go to his sister Barbara McNarry, leaving nothing for his ex-wives.
Calum received a 1994 Jean Lassel World Cup watch engraved with his name. In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph on the 20-year anniversary of his father's death, he discussed what it was like losing him.
"I really struggled when I lost my dad. I didn't quite understand the illness," he said. "I didn't understand what I was dealing with. And I kind of rebelled against all my internal battles. I was sad, I was angry, I was p----- off.
"I sat in that stuff for a long time. And in that time, I made a lot of personal mistakes. And in fairness to me, I was under a lot of scrutiny from the public eye as well. But what I noticed is that as time went on and I got older and I started to understand that, you know, what the illness was, what it was about. I reach out and try to help other kids, that also helped me as well."
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