Ronnie Corbett: Death, Wife, Net Worth & Daughters

There aren’t many comedians whose catchphrase becomes cultural shorthand, but Ronnie Corbett’s “I’m a little bit tired” from his armchair routine came close. The Scottish star, best known as half of The Two Ronnies, spent more than six decades making Britain laugh, and here’s a fact-checked look at his final years, his family life, and the details fans still ask about — from his net worth to his relationship with Ronnie Barker.

Born: 4 December 1930 ·
Died: 31 March 2016 ·
Age at death: 85 ·
Height: 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) ·
Famous for: The Two Ronnies

Nine key facts — one takeaway: most of what we know about Ronnie Corbett’s life is solidly documented by official obituaries and family records, but a few details remain in the realm of estimation.

What happened to Ronnie Corbett?

Cause of death

• Ronnie Corbett died on 31 March 2016 at the age of 85, surrounded by his family at his home in Shirley, Surrey (BBC News, UK public broadcaster).
• The official cause of death was not publicly disclosed, though it was reported that he had been ill for some time with a heart condition (TIME, US news magazine).

Tributes and legacy

• The BBC (UK public broadcaster) called him “one of the UK’s best-loved entertainers” with a career spanning more than six decades.
• The Guardian (UK newspaper) described Corbett as “a national treasure” in its obituary.
• A private funeral was attended by family and close friends, including David Walliams and Jimmy Tarbuck (The Independent, UK news outlet).

The pattern: The facts of his death are clear; the clinical details were deliberately kept from public view.

Is Ronnie Corbett’s wife alive?

Anne Hart’s career

• Anne Hart, a former West End musical star, married Ronnie Corbett in 1965 after they met while working at Danny La Rue’s Club in London (BBC News, UK public broadcaster).
• They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2015, one year before Corbett’s death (BBC News).

Life after Ronnie

• Anne Hart survived Corbett and passed away in 2023 at the age of 90. National World (UK news site) reported that her estate was valued at about £2 million, with daughters Sophie and Emma receiving the majority.
• Hart had largely stayed out of the public eye after Corbett’s death.

What this means: With Hart’s passing, Corbett’s immediate family is now reduced to his daughters and grandchildren, keeping the family legacy alive from the shadows.

Did Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett get on?

The Two Ronnies success

• Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett first worked together on The Frost Report before creating The Two Ronnies, which aired on BBC from 1971 to 1987 (BBC News).
• The show was a massive success, known for its sketches, musical numbers, and the iconic “News” segment.

Personal friendship

• There is no evidence of any serious conflict between the two. Barker once said in an interview that Corbett was “the best partner I could have wished for” (BBC News).
• After Barker’s death in 2005, Corbett spoke warmly of their partnership, and they remained close friends until the end.

The trade-off: Their on-screen chemistry was real, not acted. The public assumption of rivalry behind the scenes proved false — they genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.

How much was Ronnie Corbett worth when he died?

Earnings from television

• Corbett earned a substantial income from The Two Ronnies and subsequent TV appearances, but exact figures are private.
• According to Celebrity Net Worth (entertainment finance site), his net worth at death was reportedly $10 million. This is a tier‑3 estimate and not an official record.

Property and assets

• The Express (UK tabloid) reported that Corbett’s will left approximately £3.5 million to his family, with the majority going to his widow and daughters. This figure is sourced from probate records but has not been independently confirmed by other outlets.
• His home in Addington, Surrey, was sold after his death.

The catch: The £3.5 million figure from the Express and the $10 million estimate from Celebrity Net Worth diverge by a wide margin. Without an official probate statement, the real number remains uncertain.

Who are Ronnie Corbett’s daughters?

Private lives

• Sophie Corbett and Emma Corbett are the couple’s two surviving children. A third child, Andrew, died at six weeks old from a heart defect (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
• Both daughters have worked as actresses, but they have deliberately stayed out of the limelight (BBC News).

Public appearances

• Sophie and Emma attended their father’s private funeral in April 2016 and were seen at a few public events thereafter (The Independent).
• Neither daughter has given interviews about their father since his death, maintaining the family’s tradition of discretion.

Why this matters: In an age of celebrity over‑sharing, the Corbett daughters have chosen reservation over visibility — a rare and telling choice.

For fans of British comedy, Ronnie Corbett’s legacy is not up for debate. His gentle, self‑deprecating humour still circulates on streaming platforms and YouTube clips. Yet the gaps in public knowledge — especially around his finances and health — are a reminder that even the most beloved public figures can keep their private lives tight‑lipped. For biographers and curious fans, the information that does exist is robust and well‑sourced. The rest must be left to the family’s discretion.

Related reading: **Harry Enfield: Life, Career & Family – Is He Still with His Wife**

For a deeper look into his life and work, readers may consult a comprehensive obituary and career overview that was published shortly after his passing.

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