Inside Michael Gambon’s untraditional marriage to Lady Anne Gambon as star had love children with mistress Philippa Hart
SIR Michael Gambon had an untraditional marriage to Lady Anne Gambon during which he also had two love children with a mistress.
The beloved Dumbledore actor has died aged 82 following a bout of pneumonia with his family at his bedside.
It comes after a storied career in which he starred in the Harry Potter franchise as the Hogwarts headteacher, as well as roles in The King’s Speech and Gosford Park.
Michael married mathematician Lady Anne in 1962, aged 22 at the time, and the couple remained wedded until his death 50 years later.
They also shared son Fergus, 59, who is the director of British Ceramics and Glass.
But in 2002, the award-winning actor revealed he was also in a relationship with set designer Philippa Hart – 25 years his junior.
The pair met when working together on the set of Channel 4 series Longitude in 2000.
He is said to have then introduced her as his girlfriend on the set of Gosford Park the following year.
In February 2007, Philippa became pregnant and Sir Michael became a dad again at 66.
She then gave birth to his third child Will in 2009.
And Sir Michael would become a dad again at 66 in May 2007, before having a second child with Philipa.
A friend told The Sun at the time: “Philippa gave birth at a London hospital without complications and little Michael is a beautiful bouncing baby. It is a very strange set of circumstances worthy of a film script in itself,” The Sun quoted the friend as saying.
“But Michael is open with his wife and she accepts the second relationship, though there have been rows in the past.”
He remained married to Lady Anne and split time between their £5million marital home in Gravesend, Kent, and a property in Chiswick, West London, with Philipa.
The Irish-English actor also kept his own separate home in London, which he would use to have his own space when working.
Lady Anne is understood to have been crushed by his decision to move out their home, before coming to terms with the unusual arrangement – with Sir Michael later returning.
And despite being a father to two boys as he reached his 80s, friends of the actor insisted he was still a hands-on age.
And Sir Michael is understood to have thoroughly enjoyed having his children on set.
Hetty Baynes, who worked with him on the set of 2015 TV series The Casual Vacancy, told MailOnline: “They were so sweet and you can see he absolutely adores them.
“But I’m sure they run him ragged. Having a child in later life can be an exhausting thing, but it brings so much joy.”
But today his family sadly announced his passing following a short illness.
It said: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.
“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.
“We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1940, he first qualified as an engineer and toolmaker before discovering acting.
Aged 24, he began his professional career on the stage, featuring in Shakespeare productions like Othello and Richard III.
He quickly rose to fame thanks to his distinctive booming voice and powerful presence on both stage and screen.
But he was best known for playing Hogwarts’ headmaster Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series between 2004 and 2011, replacing the late Richard Harris.
Elsewhere, he starred in blockbusters Gosford Park (2001), Ali G Indahouse (2002), Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) and The King’s Speech (2010).
He also played Philip Marlowe in serial drama The Singing Detective.
The qualified pilot later appeared in BBC TV hits like Perfect Strangers and Emma.
He won four BAFTA’s for his TV work, three Oliver Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Award’s.