Two years after the death of the disgraced former TV personality Rolf Harris, his personal company, RHE Investments, has officially been wound up.
This process has resulted in a £1.2 million payout to Harris’ family, while HMRC is left with a substantial refund bill amounting to £122,000.
The Legacy of Rolf Harris’ Firm
RHE Investments was established in 2012 as a way for the notorious TV star to manage a significant portion of his multi-million-pound fortune.
Now, after years of legal proceedings and financial complications, the company is set to officially close its doors on July 25, 2025.
The winding-up process began a few months after Harris passed away in May 2023, and the dissolution of the firm marks the end of a long period of legal and financial settlement.
The biggest beneficiary of this payout is Harris’ niece, Jennifer Harris, who will receive a lump sum of £1.2 million.
Jennifer Harris: A Loyal Supporter Through the Legal Battle
Jennifer, who lives in Australia, has been a steadfast supporter of Harris during his legal troubles, even standing by him through his indecent assault charges.
Her dedication extended to closing down the company and handling the necessary legal formalities from Sydney, including signing the Declaration of Solvency.
She was also present at several court hearings with Harris and served as a director of two of his companies.
Despite the controversy surrounding her uncle, Jennifer will receive the financial benefit of the winding-up process.
After accounting for the liquidator and accountant fees of £9,000, she is left with a tidy sum of £1.2 million.
HMRC Faces Refund Due to Overdrawn Director’s Loan
However, the company’s closure also means that HMRC will issue a refund of £127,474.
This is because an overdrawn director’s loan of £392,000 was fully repaid, meaning any corporation tax that had been paid on that amount is now due for a refund.
The financial complexities surrounding Harris’ estate continue to play out long after his death.
Harris’ Final Years and Controversial Legacy
Rolf Harris, once a beloved figure on British television, passed away at the age of 93.
His death certificate revealed that he died from metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, a form of cancer, compounded by frailty due to old age.
His health had deteriorated after he was released from prison in 2017, following his conviction for a series of sex offenses.
During his final years, he struggled to speak and was fed through a tube.
The Fall of a TV Icon
Harris’ reputation, once solidified through his career as a TV host and artist, was shattered in 2014 when he was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault.
The victims included young girls, some as young as eight years old, and the abuse occurred between 1968 and 1986.
Harris was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison, marking the tragic downfall of a once-popular figure.
His death did little to erase the lasting impact of his crimes, but his family, particularly his niece, now stands to gain financially as the final chapters of his financial affairs come to a close.