British Olympic swimming legend David Wilkie leaves HUGE fortune to wife & children after tragic cancer death aged 70
BRITISH Olympic swimming legend David Wilkie has left a huge fortune to his wife and children after his tragic death.
The 70-year-old passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer.
Scottish three-time Olympic medallist Wilkie didn’t have a will at the time of his death, probate records have revealed.
But it is understood his near £2million estate will be inherited by his wife Helen and their two kids Natasha and Adam.
His family released a statement announcing his passing in May following his courageous battle with ill health.
They said: “It is with great sadness that the family of David Wilkie MBE announce that he died peacefully surrounded by his family this morning following his brave battle with cancer.”
Wilkie’s son Adam said: “My dad was a truly wonderful man, father, and husband.
“He achieved so much in his life and those that knew him will never forget his love for life, kindness, and wonderful sense of humour.”
The Scot won 200m breaststroke gold in Montreal in 1976 as well as two Olympic silver medals.
As well as his Olympic achievements, Wilkie also bagged three world titles.
Born in Sri Lanka to Scottish parents, Wilkie won his first major medal with a bronze at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
He collected Olympic silver in Munich in 1972 and won World Championship gold the following year.
Wilkie added three more Commonwealth medals for Scotland, including two golds, in 1974.
In 1975, he completed a 100m and 200m breaststroke double at world level and was voted British Sportsman of the Year by sports writers.
Wilkie’s crowning moment came with an extraordinary performance in Montreal with his Olympic triumph taking more than three seconds off the world record time.
He also came second in the 100m event in Canada.
Unbeaten over 200m for four years and the first British man to win Olympic gold in the pool in 68 years he retired one month after the Games at the age of 22.
Wilkie was made an MBE in 1977.
After hanging up his goggles he became a successful businessman opening Pets’ Kitchen which provides nutritional food for pets.