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Comedian Ricky Gervais, 65, now says he plans to marry his longtime partner, Jane Fallon, after years of saying he did not want to get married. He explained that U.K. inheritance tax is behind his change of heart.
Gervais and Fallon, who are both 65, have been together since they met as students at University College London in 1982. In an interview with Saga Magazine, Gervais said that tax reasons, not romance, are behind their decision. "It is. And that will be the reason I marry. We haven't done it yet," he said. "But if it wasn't for [tax]... why? It's mad. How more married can you be? We share all our money, we've been living together for 40 years. Some marriages don't last a year."
"It's horrible, isn't it? I've got to get around to marrying before I die," he said.
In the U.K., married couples and civil partners can usually leave assets to each other without paying inheritance tax when one partner dies. Unmarried couples do not automatically get this exemption. The standard inheritance tax rate in the U.K. is 40% on the part of an estate that is above the tax-free threshold.
Gervais is estimated to be worth £141 million ($190.6 million), while Fallon’s net worth is about £1.3 million ($1.76 million). Together, their fortune is estimated at around £142 million ($192 million).
Gervais, who created "The Office," and Fallon, a television producer and bestselling novelist, moved into a flat in London’s King’s Cross in 1984. At the time, they reportedly struggled financially. The couple has also talked about their choice not to have children. Fallon said she never questioned this decision and that she "always thought about work" instead of a wedding.
In March, Fallon shared that she was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. She had two surgeries, which she said "went well." Fallon said she was looking forward to getting back to normal life.
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