Who Inherited George Harrison’s Fortune?
Who Inherited George Harrison’s Fortune?
George Harrison, the legendary guitarist of The Beatles, amassed a significant fortune throughout his career. As one of the most influential musicians of all time, his wealth came from album sales, songwriting royalties, and various business ventures. When he passed away in 2001, his estate was valued at around $400 million. Adjusted for inflation, this would be worth approximately $700–800 million today.
But who inherited George Harrison’s fortune? Did he leave anything to his family members, including his sister? And who owns the rights to his iconic music today? Let’s take a closer look at the distribution of his wealth and legacy.
Who Inherited George Harrison’s Money?
When George Harrison died from lung cancer on November 29, 2001, at the age of 58, his fortune was passed on to his wife, Olivia Harrison, and their only son, Dhani Harrison.
Olivia and Dhani became the primary heirs to his vast estate, which included:
- His share of The Beatles’ royalties
- Solo music royalties from albums like All Things Must Pass
- His massive real estate portfolio, including his luxurious estate, Friar Park
- His investments in businesses, including his film production company, Handmade Films
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George was known to be very private about his finances, but it was clear that he had structured his estate to ensure that his wife and son would be well taken care of after his passing.
Dhani Harrison’s Role in Preserving His Father’s Legacy
Dhani Harrison, George’s son, has played a crucial role in managing his father’s estate and musical legacy. As a talented musician himself, Dhani has worked on remastering and re-releasing George Harrison’s music. He was instrumental in the 50th-anniversary reissue of All Things Must Pass, ensuring that his father’s work continues to reach new generations of fans.
Did George Harrison Leave Any Money to His Sister?
George Harrison’s relationship with his older sister, Louise Harrison, was complicated. During The Beatles’ early days, Louise was one of George’s biggest supporters. However, in later years, their relationship became strained.
Reports suggest that George did not leave any money to his sister in his will. This was surprising to many fans, as Louise had been vocal about her financial struggles in later years. In interviews, she revealed that she had not received financial support from George and that she was running a small bed-and-breakfast to make ends meet.
Despite this, she remained proud of her brother’s legacy and continued to promote his music and message of peace.
Who Owns the Rights to George Harrison’s Music?
The rights to George Harrison’s music are divided into different categories:
1. The Beatles’ Music Rights
The rights to The Beatles' catalog are controlled by Apple Corps, a company co-founded by the band members in the 1960s. Additionally, Universal Music Group owns the publishing rights through its subsidiary, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which acquired Michael Jackson’s share of The Beatles’ catalog in the 1980s.
This means that any royalties generated from Beatles songs that George wrote—such as Here Comes the Sun and Something—continue to provide income to his estate, with Olivia and Dhani Harrison as the beneficiaries.
2. George Harrison’s Solo Music Rights
George Harrison’s solo career was highly successful, and he owned the rights to his personal music catalog through Harrisongs Ltd., his publishing company.
After his passing, his estate—managed by Olivia and Dhani—retained control over Harrisongs Ltd. This means that all of his solo hits, including My Sweet Lord, What Is Life, and Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth), continue to generate royalties for his family.
3. Dark Horse Records
In addition to his own music, George Harrison founded Dark Horse Records, a label that signed artists like Ravi Shankar and Tom Petty. In 2020, Dhani Harrison relaunched Dark Horse Records in partnership with BMG, ensuring that his father’s record label remains active.
George Harrison’s Lasting Legacy
Even though George Harrison passed away more than two decades ago, his legacy lives on through his music, philanthropy, and spiritual influence. His estate continues to generate millions each year, thanks to ongoing album sales, streaming, and re-releases of his work.
RELATED: How Much Money Did George Harrison Have In Today’s Money?
While he didn’t leave any money to his sister, his wife and son have carefully preserved his legacy, keeping his music alive for future generations. Today, Dhani Harrison is the face of his father’s estate, working to honor George’s impact on the world.
From All Things Must Pass to Here Comes the Sun, George Harrison’s contributions to music remain timeless, and his fortune continues to support the family he loved.
