Richard Attenborough - Health

Health

In August 2008 Attenborough entered hospital with heart problems and was fitted with a pacemaker. In December 2008 he suffered a fall at his home after a stroke, and was admitted to St George's Hospital in Tooting, southwest London. He went into a coma, but came out of it within a few days.

In November 2009 Attenborough, in what he called a 'house clearance' sale, sold part of his extensive art collection which included works by LS Lowry, Christopher Nevinson and Graham Sutherland, generating £4.6 million at Sotheby's. In January 2011 he sold his Rhubodach estate on the Isle of Bute, in Argyll, Scotland for £1.48 million.

In May 2011, David Attenborough revealed that his brother had been confined to a wheelchair since his stroke in 2008, but was still capable of holding a conversation. He added, however, that "he won't be making any more films."

Shortly before her 90th birthday, in June 2012 Sheila Sim entered the actors' home Denville Hall, for which she and Attenborough had helped raise funds. In July 2012 it was announced that Sim has been diagnosed with senile dementia.

In October 2012, it was announced that Attenborough was putting the family home, Beaver Lodge, which comes complete with a sound-proofed cinema in the garden, on the market for £11.5 million. David Attenborough stated "He and his wife both loved the house, but they now need full-time care. It simply isn’t practical to keep the house on any more."

In March 2013, in light of his deteriorating health, Richard Attenborough moved into Denville Hall to be with his wife, as confirmed by their son Michael.