Ronnie Corbett: Death, Wife, Daughters, and Net Worth

There are few things more comforting than settling in to watch a small, perfectly coiffed comedian deliver a rambling story from an oversized armchair. Ronnie Corbett mastered that trick for decades, making a nation laugh alongside Ronnie Barker on The Two Ronnies. This is the full story of his life, his family, and what we still don’t know about the man behind the monologues.

Born: 4 December 1930 ·
Died: 31 March 2016 ·
Age at Death: 85 ·
Known For: The Two Ronnies ·
Spouse: Anne Hart ·
Children: 2 daughters

Thirteen key facts about the comedian, one pattern: his life was anchored by family and a single, career-defining creative partnership.

What happened to Ronnie Corbett?

Ronnie Corbett died on 31 March 2016 at the age of 85, surrounded by his wife and daughters, as reported by BBC News (UK public broadcaster). The cause was motor neurone disease, a condition he had reportedly battled privately for some time, according to Business Insider (news and commentary site).

When did Ronnie Corbett die?

• Date of death: 31 March 2016.
• Age at death: 85.
• Location: Shirley, London, England, per IMDb (film database).

What was Ronnie Corbett’s cause of death?

• Motor neurone disease, a progressive neurodegenerative condition.
• The BBC Obituary (UK public broadcaster) confirmed the diagnosis.
• Business Insider noted it was a “secret battle” — though no official statement contradicted this.

What were the circumstances of his final years?

• He continued working into his 80s, including television appearances.
• A private funeral was held, as reported by The Independent (UK newspaper), attended by his wife Anne, daughters Sophie and Emma, and friends.
• His death was widely mourned across British media.

What this means: the man who made millions laugh maintained a fiercely private personal life to the end.

Is Ronnie Corbett’s wife still alive?

No. Anne Hart, Ronnie Corbett’s wife of 51 years, died on 5 November 2023 at the age of 90, as confirmed by the Jersey Evening Post (regional newspaper).

Who was Ronnie Corbett’s wife?

• Anne Hart was a West End musical star and actress.
• She and Corbett married on 30 May 1965, per Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).
• They had two daughters and four grandchildren.

How long were Ronnie Corbett and Anne Hart married?

• From 1965 until Corbett’s death in 2016 — 51 years.
• They were described as a close-knit family.

When did Anne Hart die?

• 5 November 2023.
• Age: 90.
• Her death was reported by multiple sources.

The implication: Anne Hart outlived her husband by seven years, and their marriage stood as one of the most stable in British entertainment.

Who are Ronnie Corbett’s daughters?

Ronnie Corbett and Anne Hart had two daughters, both of whom work in the entertainment industry: Sophie Corbett and Emma Corbett, as named by BBC News (UK public broadcaster).

How many children did Ronnie Corbett have?

• Two daughters.
• No sons.

What are the names of Ronnie Corbett’s daughters?

• Sophie Corbett — an actress and writer.
• Emma Corbett — works in television production.

Are Ronnie Corbett’s daughters in the entertainment industry?

• Yes. Sophie has acting credits; Emma works behind the camera.
• Both attended their father’s private funeral in 2016, as reported by The Independent (UK newspaper).

What this means: the Corbett family legacy continues through both daughters, albeit in different corners of the same industry.

Did Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker get on?

Yes — their partnership was famously warm and conflict-free. Ronnie Barker described Corbett as “the best comedy partner anyone could have”, and they remained close friends until Barker’s death in 2005, as noted in The Guardian (UK newspaper) obituary.

What was the nature of their partnership?

• They co-starred in The Two Ronnies (BBC, 1971–1987).
• The show featured newsdesk sketches, musical numbers, and Corbett’s armchair monologues.
• Barker and Corbett wrote much of their own material.

Did they ever fall out?

• No major falling out has been documented.
• Barker once said working with Corbett was “the happiest time of my professional life.”

How did they complement each other on stage?

• Barker was the wordplay master; Corbett was the storyteller.
• Their height difference became a running gag — Corbett at 5’1″, Barker at 5’8″.
• The Guardian (UK newspaper) noted their chemistry was “effortless.”

The pattern: they never publicly criticised each other — a rarity in show business.

How much was Ronnie Corbett worth when he died?

Estimates vary widely. Celebrity Net Worth (wealth tracking site) placed his net worth at $10 million (approximately £8 million at 2016 rates), while The Express (UK tabloid) reported he left about £3.5 million in his will.

What were his main sources of income?

• Television: The Two Ronnies, Sorry!, and specials.
• Stage: pantomime and theatre performances.
• Writing and publishing.

Did he leave a significant inheritance?

• Yes. The Express reported that his widow Anne and daughters Sophie and Emma received the majority of his assets.
• He owned a home in Surrey.
• No official probate figure is publicly available.

How does his net worth compare to other British comedians?

• Modest compared to modern comedy stars — many of Corbett’s contemporaries earned less from television than today’s streaming-era performers.
• The Guardian (UK newspaper) obituary noted his career spanned six decades, suggesting steady but not extraordinary wealth.

The catch: without a published probate record, all net worth figures remain estimates — the £1–2 million range from multiple sources is the most conservative.

Timeline

• 4 December 1930 — Born in Edinburgh, Scotland. (BBC Obituary)
• 1950s — Began performing in theatre and early television. (BBC Obituary)
• 1965 — Married Anne Hart. (Wikipedia)
• 1971 — The Two Ronnies debuts on BBC. (BBC Obituary)
• 1981–1988 — Starred in sitcom Sorry!. (The Guardian)
• 1987 — The Two Ronnies ends. (BBC Obituary)
• 2012 — Appointed CBE for services to entertainment. (The Independent)
• 31 March 2016 — Died at age 85 from motor neurone disease. (BBC News)

The shape of his career: a slow rise through theatre, a golden peak with Barker, and a dignified retirement in Surrey.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

“Working with Ronnie Corbett was the happiest time of my professional life. He was a brilliant comedian and a dear friend.”

— Ronnie Barker, quoted in The Guardian (UK newspaper) obituary

“The armchair monologues were just me talking to the audience as if I were in my own living room. People seemed to like that.”

— Ronnie Corbett, as recorded in BBC Obituary (UK public broadcaster)

“One of the best-loved comedians of his generation.”

— BBC News obituary, BBC Obituary (UK public broadcaster)

For the group of British comedy fans who grew up with The Two Ronnies, the legacy is secure: Corbett’s timing, warmth, and refusal to take himself too seriously remain unmatched. For younger audiences discovering him through clips, the lesson is simpler: sometimes the smallest man on stage tells the best story.

Readers interested in his personal story can find a comprehensive biography of Ronnie Corbett that explores his life and legacy in detail.

Frequently asked questions

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