WORTHY MAN: Legendary 'DWTS' judge Len Goodman leaves behind $6.6 million fortune for wife and son
LONDON, ENGLAND: Len Goodman reportedly left behind a fortune of $6.6 million after his death at the age of 78. The much-loved ‘Dancing with the Stars' judge died from terminal bone cancer on Saturday, April 22, in hospice care in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He is survived by his wife Sue Barrett and son James William Goodman, whom he shares with a woman named Lesley.
Goodman had more than $4.35 million in the bank, according to the accounts for his company, Pleasurable Pastimes that were signed weeks before his death. The accounts, which were signed off on April 5 and cover the 12 months leading up to August 2022, also show that he had a $2.7 million in property investments. After paying bills, including taxes, he had a little less than $6.6 million left in his entertainment firm. The accounts also revealed that Pleasurable Pastime’s valuation had increased by about $373,000 from the previous year, according to Daily Mail.
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Who are the shareholders of Goodman’s Pleasurable Pastimes?
The 'Dancing With The Stars' judge was the main shareholder of the firm while his wife and son were listed as fellow directors. Goodman had 52 percent of the shares and Sue and James each held 24 percent, according to the Sun. The company is located in Woolwich, South East London, not far from where Len started out in the workforce as a welder before switching to dance full-time. He became a national treasure after auditioning for the UK version of 'DWTS' called, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ at age 60.
Goodman, who was born and raised in London, reportedly took up dancing reluctantly at the age of 19, when a doctor advised him that it might speed up the healing of a foot ailment. The star was undoubtedly a renowned professional ballroom dancer who, in his late 20s, won the British championships before quitting the sport and starting a dancing studio. Much later in life, he presided over the judging panels for both the British version of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ from its launch in 2004 until 2016. He was also the sole head judge on ‘Dancing With the Stars from 2005 until 2022.
'He was dealing with something very aggressive'
People who worked with him in the United States said he was "laughing and joking” during the final season of the reality show in November. However, there were also some people who noticed that the always cheery Len was "slowing down”. "Len was such a pro that the moment the cameras and light came on, he became the consummate showman," an insider told the Sun. The source further noted Goodman requested producers that "don't bother asking me to do a dance for my farewell, because that ain't happening, I just like to shuffle around these days!"
"The news about Len caught many of the production team by surprise today. There was an enormous feeling of sadness and grief because Len had brought so much fun and joy to the show, as well as being a perfect professional," a second show source said, adding ‘'Last Fall, Len was certainly less of a presence around and while he looked thin, that frailty was just thought of as him getting older. Obviously, now the suggestion is that he was dealing with something very aggressive and keeping it to himself."