What is Martin Bashir's net worth? Princess Diana's Panorama interview led to other big scoops for journalist
Martin Bashir, the disgraced journalist who used deceptive tactics to land his BBC Panorama scoop with Princess Diana, reportedly set up a private company called ‘Panoramic Productions Ltd’ the same year the interview was aired.
The Daily Mail revealed in November last year how the company made more than £200,000 ($284,000) in 2019, on top of Bashir's BBC salary. According to the British newspaper, the discredited journalist seemed to use the production house to funnel outside earnings, including lucrative speaking engagements. One agency in the United States -- cited but not named by the Daily Mail -- suggested that Bashir could be booked as a speaker for a fee of $15,000 (£12,000) to $25,000 (£19,000) per appearance.
RELATED ARTICLES
Bashir's downfall, which was cemented by Lord Dyson's shocking report, had already begun in the lead up to the revelation. There were signs at the end of last year that the former news anchor was being dumped by firms that once valued his star power. The trend began following allegations that he had fed a series of fabricated lies to Princess Diana in order to win her trust and secure his 1995 interview with her.
The BBC issued a "full and unconditional apology" after it came to light that Bashir had used forged bank statements to deceive Diana. The story rocked British politics and journalism after the report was released by the BBC itself.
What is Martin Bashir's net worth?
Bashir's net worth grew significantly between 2019 and 2020. At age 58, his income source was mostly from being a successful journalist who had interviewed and hosted several prominent figures. Last year, his net worth was estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. Meanwhile, his current net worth is yet to be established.
Bashir set up Panoramic Productions Ltd in February 1995. At the time, he was working on his biggest project ever -- an interview with the popular princess. After attaining fame and stardom from the sensational exchange, Bashir made a fortune in the United States anchoring several television programs for ABC and MSNBC.
In 2016, Bashir returned to the BBC and bought a home near Regents Park for £1.9 million ($2.7M) in cash. He lives in the coveted neighborhood with his wife Deborah, 63, who is a co-owner at Panoramic Productions. Her occupation is listed as a district nursing sister, according to the Daily Mail.
The firm engaged in "television production activities," per accounts filed at Companies House, and was paid at least £204,000 ($290K) in the 12 months to the end of January 2020. This was in addition to Bashir's salary as a top employee of the BBC, with the production house enabling him to take on outside work as well.
Downfall
The cracks, however, became visible when Bashir was axed from an ITV documentary on killer ex-royal aide Jane Andrews. The BBC had originally granted Bashir permission to present an hour-long documentary for its rival, including an interview with Andrews at her Lincolnshire residence.
However, it was later confirmed that the show would go ahead without Bashir at the helm. "Martin was heavily involved and conducted a number of the main interviews. But he will no longer be presenting it," one insider told the Daily Mail. "Discussions have been ongoing amid the controversy. There will now be no presenter." It's unclear whether the £204,000 ($290K) paid to Bashir’s company included a fee for presenting the documentary.
The discredited former BBC star is accused of having exploited Princess Diana's paranoia - forging bank documents, lying about the Queen's health, accusing Prince Charles of being ‘in love’ with their sons’ nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, as well as claiming that Diana's own staff was betraying her to MI5 and the press.