Benjamin Zephaniah leaves £1.3million property to his beloved spouse
Peaky Blinders star Benjamin Zephaniah left an estate worth more than £1.3million to his wife when he died aged 65.
Zephaniah, an acclaimed poet and writer, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour weeks before he passed away in December last year.
It has now emerged his estate had a gross value of £1,325,363 with a net value of £1,322,082.
Zephaniah left instructions for his wife Qian, who was with her husband when he died, to inherit his fortune and personal belongings.
Probate documents show he also ordered donations of £20,000 to be given to the Vegan Society and the charity campaign group Inquest.
Zephaniah, an acclaimed poet and writer, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour weeks before he passed away in December last year
Zephaniah (pictured alongside Cillian Murphy) appeared in Peaky Blinders between 2013 and 2022 and played Jeremiah ‘Jimmy’ Jesus in 14 episodes across the six series
Zephaniah was dyslexic and left school aged 13 unable to read or write but released his first book aged 22 after a move to London.
His early work used dub poetry, a Jamaican style of work that has evolved into the music genre of the same name, and he would also perform with the group The Benjamin Zephaniah Band.
As his profile grew, he became a familiar face on television and was credited with bringing dub poetry into British living rooms.
He also wrote five novels as well as poetry for children, and his first book for younger readers, Talking Turkeys, was a huge success upon its publication in 1994.
Zephaniah appeared in Peaky Blinders between 2013 and 2022 and played Jeremiah ‘Jimmy’ Jesus in 14 episodes across the six series.
Following his death, Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy said: ‘Benjamin was a truly gifted and beautiful human being.
‘A generational poet, writer, musician and activist. A proud Brummie and a Peaky Blinder. I’m so saddened by this news.’
Zephaniah famously rejected an OBE in 2003 due to the association of such an honour with the British Empire and its history of slavery.
He said: ‘I’ve been fighting against empire all my life, fighting against slavery and colonialism all my life.
‘I’ve been writing to connect with people, not to impress governments and monarchy. Could I then accept an honour that puts the word Empire on to my name? That would be hypocritical.’
Fans of the poet and author Benjamin Zephaniah had been asked to plant flowers or trees and name them in his memory
The dub poet died earlier this month at the age of 65
A statement from his family after his death said: ‘Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator. He gave the world so much.
‘Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy.’
Upon hearing about his death, many artists, poets and musicians paid tribute, including co-star in Peaky Blinders, Cillian Murphy.
In a statement, Murphy said: ‘Benjamin was a truly gifted and beautiful human being – a generational poet, writer, musician and activist.
‘A proud Brummie and a Peaky Blinder. I’m so saddened by this news. RIP.’
Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh said the world had lost a giant.
She remarked: ‘We have lost a titan today. Benjamin Zephaniah. Beautiful poet. Professor, OBE, advocate for love and humanity in all things.
‘Heartbroken. Rest In Your Power – our brother.’
