Former Dragon’s Den star Hillary Debbie died at the age of 65, her spokeswoman confirmed.
The TV star died on Saturday after a long illness in Morocco, where she had a fortune, her spokeswoman Benjamin Webb told PA news agency.
She participated in the BBC Two program Dragon’s Den in 2011 and left in 2012 to introduce her to the Channel 4 intern.
In 2013 she became CBE and was honored for her business career and philanthropy.
After raising money by selling her home and car in the 1990s, she founded the multi-million pound freight distribution business, Pall-Ex.
Her philanthropy included her position as Vice President of the Carers Trust, she was also a Patron of the Stroke Association and suffered a stroke in 2009.
Juliet Bouvery, Chief Executive Officer of the Stroke Association, said:
“She was a longtime ambassador of the Stroke Association after she had a stroke herself. We are very grateful for all the support she has given us over the years.
“Hillary was keen to receive the support and support that all stroke survivors needed to rebuild their post-stroke lives. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends.”
Devey also starred in Channel 5’s Business Inspector and in 2008 on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire.
Sad to hear that @HilaryDevey It has passed. very young. Too young. Rest in the Peace Hillary.X
— DuncanBannatyne (@DuncanBannatyne) June 12, 2022
She explained that she became a CBE at the time for services to the transportation industry and charities, saying:
“It’s great to get that perception, but it’s not about me, it’s about the charities I support and the wonderful transport sector I’m privileged to work with.
“So I’m the Carers Trust, Stroke Association, Fresh Start – New Beginnings, and other charities I’ve tried to help, and truck drivers, forklift drivers, and the Logistics Division: the shadow hero of the British industry. “
I’m very sad to hear the lovely death of Hillary Devy. She left a wonderful memory for all of us. May she rest in peace. My idea is in her family.X
— Theo Paphitis 🇺🇦 (@TheoPaphitis) June 12, 2022
Born in Bolton, Devey began helping at the age of seven in pubs and corner shops run by his parents.
She graduated from school at the age of 16 and then moved to London to work in logistics for companies such as TNT.
Debbie got public attention when he replaced James Caan at Dragon’s Den. She later said that her best investment was mattresses / duvets for caravans, boats and trucks.
In 2017, Devey quit smoking after being reported to have smoked “more than 20 times a day for more than 40 years.”
“I’ve been obsessed with cigarettes and ignored the damage, even if I knew the harm I was doing,” she said at the time.
“I found it very difficult to quit forever.”
She published her autobiography “Bold As Brass: My Story” in 2012. This depicts her life as a Bolton girl remembers a bailer who called when her father’s central heating business collapsed and became millions of businessmen in Spanish real estate. It is a thing. , Marrakech and Florida.
Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne has been on the show for 10 years with Debbie. “I’m sad to hear that @HilaryDevey is gone. Very young. Too young. Peacefully Hilary.”
The famous businessman Theo Paphitis, who also appeared in Dragons’ Den at the same time as Debbie, remembered her.
He tweeted. “I’m very sad to hear that lovely Hillary Debbie has died. She left a wonderful memory for all of us. May she rest in peace. My thoughts are on her family. There is a cross.
