The late husband of Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson left a £1.3million fortune to his family, it has been revealed.
Dr Malcolm Donaldson was a paediatric consultant and senior lecturer in child health at the University of Glasgow until his retirement.
He died at the age of 75 on September 22.
Affectionately known as Dr Gruffalo by his young patients at the city’s Royal Hospital for Children, Dr Donaldson was known for his ‘kindness and dedication’.
He was married to the notorious children’s author, whose books The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child have been global best-sellers for 52 years.
Following his death, probate documents revealed he left an estate valued at £1,322,528 and a will he prepared in 2020 instructed his fortune should be handed to his family.
Dr Donaldson met the award-winning author and former Children’s Laureate at Bristol University in 1968, when he was studying medicine and she was studying drama and French.
The couple lived in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden from 1987 until moving to Surrey in 2014.
Dr Malcolm Donadson (right), the late husband of Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson (left), left a £1.3million fortune to his family, it has been revealed
The notorious children’s author’s books The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child have been global best-sellers for 52 years
As a highly-respected academic, Dr Donaldson wrote or contributed to more than 180 publications, papers and books.
But he was also an accomplished actor, singer and guitarist who accompanied his wife to perform her songs and stories at festivals, schools, libraries and bookshops around the world.
Tributes were paid to Donaldson after his death.
Axel Scheffler, who illustrated the Gruffalo books, said: ‘I have known Malcolm for 30 years and always admired his enthusiasm for our books, Julia’s work and children’s books in general.
‘All this beside being a paediatric consultant and giving lectures all over the world.
‘His true passion was performing with Julia on stage, playing the guitar and acting – especially his legendary suave role of the Fox in*The Gruffalo.
‘He will be deeply missed.’
The British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) said: ‘His contributions will continue to resonate in the field of paediatric endocrinology and child health in the UK, Europe and beyond for many years to come.
‘His warmth, wisdom and gentle spirit will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all you knew him.’
