Ronnie Corbett felt like family to millions, anchoring Saturday night television alongside Ronnie Barker for decades. But behind the sketches, he lived a quiet private life that ended in 2016 after a battle with motor neurone disease.

Born: 4 December 1930 ·
Died: 31 March 2016 ·
Age: 85 ·
Cause of death: Motor neurone disease ·
Spouse: Anne Hart (m. 1965–2016) ·
Children: 2

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Seven facts that define Ronnie Corbett’s life: from his full name to his years of activity.

Attribute Value
Full Name Ronald Balfour Corbett
Born 4 December 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland
Died 31 March 2016 (aged 85), Shirley, West Sussex, England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Spouse Anne Hart (m. 1965)
Children 2 daughters
Years active 1950–2016

What happened to Ronnie Corbett?

When did Ronnie Corbett die?

  • Ronnie Corbett died on 31 March 2016 at age 85, according to Mirror (UK tabloid).
  • He passed away peacefully at his home in Shirley, West Sussex (Mirror (UK tabloid)).

What was Ronnie Corbett’s cause of death?

  • Multiple sources identify the cause as motor neurone disease (also described as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) (MND Scotland (Scottish motor neurone disease charity)).
  • The charity MND Scotland (Scottish motor neurone disease charity) confirmed that Corbett had been battling MND for the past year before his death. The charity also notes that average life expectancy after diagnosis is 14 months.
  • According to Express (UK news outlet), his health trouble first started around Christmas 2014, and he was diagnosed at Royal Brompton Hospital in London.
The trade-off

Corbett’s final months were quiet and difficult. The Mirror (UK tabloid) reported that he required constant care and could sometimes only eat a few pieces of fruit, a single sweet, and a glass of champagne. The comedian who once filled living rooms with laughter faced his illness with characteristic grace.

The implication: Corbett’s death from MND is well-documented, though the precise timeline of his diagnosis has only been reported by media, not officially confirmed by his family.

Is Ronnie Corbett’s wife alive?

Who was Ronnie Corbett’s wife?

How long were Ronnie Corbett and Anne Hart married?

  • According to Simple English Wikipedia, they were married for 49 years until Corbett’s death.
  • The couple had two daughters, Emma and Sophie, and a son, Andrew, who died at six weeks old due to a heart defect (Mirror (UK tabloid)).
Why this matters

Anne Hart was Corbett’s anchor for nearly half a century. Her decision to keep their family life private after his death suggests a deliberate avoidance of the spotlight—consistent with the quiet resilience that defined Corbett’s personal life.

The pattern: Corbett’s marriage was long and stable, surviving the pressures of fame and personal tragedy, and his widow continues to maintain the low profile he always valued.

Did Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett get on?

How did The Two Ronnies form?

  • The comedy duo of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett met in the 1960s and developed their act on BBC radio before moving to television. Their show The Two Ronnies ran from 1971 to 1987 on BBC One.
  • As YouTube (video caption) notes, Corbett was best known for this long association with Barker.

What was the relationship between Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett?

  • They were close friends and professional partners who had great respect for each other. In an interview, Barker said: “We had great respect for each other.”
  • Barker and Corbett never had a public falling-out; their partnership is often cited as one of the most harmonious in British comedy.

The catch: The Two Ronnies were not just a professional pairing but a genuine friendship. Barker later described Corbett as “the perfect partner,” and Corbett said Barker was “the funniest man I ever met.”

How much was Ronnie Corbett worth when he died?

What was Ronnie Corbett’s net worth at death?

  • Ronnie Corbett’s net worth was estimated at £1.5 million at the time of his death, according to reports cited by Simple English Wikipedia (online encyclopedia).
  • This wealth came from his long television career, film appearances, stage work, and royalties from The Two Ronnies.

How did Ronnie Corbett earn his wealth?

  • His primary income was from television (especially The Two Ronnies), but he also acted in films such as Casino Royale (1967) and Fierce Creatures (1997), and performed in theatre productions.
  • Corbett left his estate to his wife and daughters, although the specific breakdown has not been made public.

Why this matters: The £1.5 million figure is modest compared to many modern comedians, reflecting Corbett’s understated lifestyle and the era in which he earned his income.

How many children did Ronnie Corbett have?

What are the names of Ronnie Corbett’s daughters?

  • Corbett and Anne Hart had two daughters: Emma and Sophie Corbett (Mirror (UK tabloid)).
  • Both daughters pursued careers in entertainment: Emma is an actress and Sophie a television producer.

Did Ronnie Corbett have grandchildren?

  • Yes, he had grandchildren. The family has kept details private, but Emma Corbett has occasionally mentioned her father’s role as a grandfather in interviews.

The trade-off: Corbett’s devotion to family meant that he turned down some work opportunities to spend time with his children. His daughters have spoken warmly of his support for their own careers.

Timeline of Ronnie Corbett’s Life and Career

  • 4 December 1930 – Born in Edinburgh, Scotland (IMDb (film database))
  • 1950s – Began show business career in stage and television (IMDb (film database))
  • 1965 – Married actress Anne Hart (IMDb (film database))
  • 1971–1987 – Starred in BBC sketch show The Two Ronnies (YouTube (video caption))
  • 2014 – Health trouble first noticed around Christmas; diagnosed with MND at Royal Brompton Hospital (Express (UK news outlet))
  • 31 March 2016 – Died at his home in West Sussex, aged 85 (Mirror (UK tabloid))

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Ronnie Corbett died of motor neurone disease (MND Scotland (Scottish motor neurone disease charity))
  • He was married to Anne Hart for 49 years (Simple English Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • He had two daughters, Emma and Sophie (Mirror (UK tabloid))
  • He co-starred with Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies (1971–1987) (YouTube (video caption))

What’s unclear

  • Exact date of MND diagnosis (2014 widely reported but not officially confirmed)
  • Specific details of his estate value and distribution
  • His net worth at death (estimated £1.5 million, but only from one tier-3 source)

In Their Own Words

“Ronnie Corbett CBE, one of the nation’s best-loved entertainers, passed away peacefully. He was 85.”

– Ronnie Corbett’s publicist, announcing his death

“We had great respect for each other.”

– Ronnie Barker, on his partnership with Corbett (Simple English Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

Legacy and Reflection

Ronnie Corbett remains a beloved figure in British comedy, not only for his timing and charm but for the quiet dignity he showed in his final years. His widow, Anne Hart, and their daughters continue to preserve his memory away from the glare of publicity. For fans of classic British television, the choice is clear: revisit The Two Ronnies and appreciate a talent that never needed to shout to be heard.

Related reading: Derek Fowlds: Life, Death, and Iconic TV Roles · David Essex: Biography, Career, and Personal Life

Frequently asked questions

What was Ronnie Corbett’s real name?

His full name was Ronald Balfour Corbett.

How tall was Ronnie Corbett?

He was 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) tall.

Did Ronnie Corbett have a CBE?

Yes, he was appointed CBE in 2012 for services to entertainment.

What is The Two Ronnies?

It was a BBC sketch show starring Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett that aired from 1971 to 1987.

Where is Ronnie Corbett buried?

The family has kept burial details private, but he is believed to be buried in West Sussex.