George Michael Paid For A Woman's IVF Treatment
In the wake of losing one of the most iconic pop stars of all time, many have taken to social media to share their most precious memories of George Michael, who reportedly died of heart failure on Christmas Day at the age of 53, according to People. Many acts of the legendary singer's secret generosity were revealed in the hours after the news of his death hit headlines, including a time when George Michael reportedly paid for a woman’s IVF treatment after she appeared on a gameshow and explained why she needed the money.
On Monday, British TV presenter Richard Osman wrote on Twitter that Michael had called the woman who appeared on Deal or No Deal and gave more than $18,000 USD for the expensive fertility treatment, which costs about $12,000 before any medications — those can add another $3,000 to $5,000 — according to Forbes.
"A woman on 'Deal Or No Deal' told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment," Osman shared in a tweet. "George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k."
Osman, who worked as an executive producer on Deal Or No Deal and other quiz shows in the United Kingdom, did not reveal the woman's identity or the year this heartwarming gesture happened.
Osman's story of the British singer's reported generosity appeared to inspire others to share their own memories or encounters they had with Michael over the years.
About an hour after Osman's tweet, one Twitter user wrote that Michael "worked anonymously at a homeless shelter" she worked at and allegedly asked his fellow volunteers to not tell anyone about it.
In another tweet just minutes after Osman's, someone else recalled a time when Micheal allegedly "gave a stranger in a cafe £25k as she was crying over debt." The Twitter user wrote that Michael allegedly told the waitress to give her the check after he had left the restaurant.
Sali Hughes, a Welsh columnist for The Guardian and other media outlets, also wrote on Twitter that Michael once allegedly tipped "a barmaid £5k because she was a student nurse in debt" and would also "put on free concerts for NHS nurses."
In addition to these good deeds Michael had reportedly done in secret, the superstar — who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou — is remembered for upbeat hits like "Club Tropicana," "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," and "Last Christmas."
In a statement to the BBC, the star's publicist said:
It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period. The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.
This year has certainly been a trying one for many and the tragic news of Michael's death was met with disbelief and utter sadness. And while the legendary singer will always be remembered as one of the most iconic pop stars of all time, these lovely stories of Michael's charitable side have given fans even more lasting memories of the superstar.
