Andre Portasio, the widower of beloved TV presenter Paul O'Grady, has sold the couple's apartment in Amsterdam, marking an emotional end to a chapter filled with cherished memories. In a heartfelt social media post, Portasio shared poignant images of their time together in the Netherlands alongside photos of the property itself.
A Heartfelt Farewell to a First Home
Taking to Instagram, the 44-year-old ballet dancer announced the sale with a "heavy heart," describing the flat as their first home together. He revealed the Amsterdam apartment was the place that inspired O'Grady's second children's book and where the couple forged lifelong friendships.
"This place will forever hold a very dear place in my heart," Portasio wrote, addressing O'Grady's 780,000 followers. He expressed hope that the new owners, now custodians of the UNESCO-listed historical home, would continue its story.
The late comedian and animal lover, famous for his drag persona Lily Savage and shows like For The Love Of Dogs, passed away suddenly in March 2023 at the couple's home in Kent. He was 67. The cause was a sudden cardiac arrhythmia, a condition O'Grady was vulnerable to after suffering three heart attacks in 2002, 2006, and 2014, and severe impacts from Covid.
Kent Mansion Remains on the Market
While the Amsterdam flat has found new owners, Portasio continues to face challenges selling the sprawling Edwardian mansion in Aldington, Kent, where he lived with O'Grady prior to his death. The property, known as Knoll Hill House, sits on 20 acres of land with views over Romney Marsh.
Originally purchased by O'Grady in 1999, the estate boasts a swimming pool, several outbuildings including two cottages, a barn, and stables. One cottage has been converted into a dance studio, gym, and steam room. The grounds were once home to a menagerie of rescue animals, reflecting O'Grady's passion, including sheep, dogs, pigs, chickens, ducks, alpacas, goats, and barn owls.
The mansion's asking price has been significantly reduced, now on the market for £2.4 million after initially being listed for £3.5 million and later £2.65 million.
A Legacy of Love for Animals and Charity
Paul O'Grady's will underscored his deep commitment to animal welfare and charitable causes. It was revealed in 2024 that his five beloved dogs – Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage – were each left £25,000, a total of £125,000, to ensure their lifelong care under the responsibility of his agent, Joan.
His will, written in 2017, also bequeathed substantial sums to charities close to his heart:
- £500,000 to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where he was an ambassador and filmed his award-winning ITV series.
- Over £50,000 to the Salvation Army, an organisation he featured in his 2016 documentary.
- £50,000 donations to both elephant and orangutan charities.
In total, O'Grady left £775,000 to various charities from his estimated £15 million fortune. Other beneficiaries included his godchildren, Milo and Otis Sainsbury.
Andre Portasio's sale of the Amsterdam apartment closes one door on their shared life, even as he works to manage the substantial legacy—both emotional and physical—left by one of Britain's most cherished entertainers.
