Robert Palmer (singer) - Later Life and Death

Later Life and Death

Palmer moved to Lugano, Switzerland, in 1986, and became a naturalized citizen of Switzerland in 1993. He lived there until his death.

A heavy smoker, he died in Paris, France, at The Warwick Hotel from a heart attack on 26 September 2003 at the age of 54. He had been in the French capital on a two-day break after recording a television appearance for Yorkshire TV in the UK. Palmer was staying at the Warwick de Berri Hotel at the time of his death. He was holidaying with his close friend, Jack Bruce, and conducting publicity appearances for his most recent release Drive prior to his death. Among those who paid tribute were Duran Duran, stating; "He was a very dear friend and a great artist. This is a tragic loss to the British music industry."

He was survived by his parents, Leslie and Anna Palmer, his girlfriend Geraldine Edwards, his brother, Mark Palmer, and his children, James, Jane, Anthony, Anna and Martin.

In October 2004, newspapers reported on the struggle for Palmer's estate, worth an estimated £30 million, between Mary Ambrose and Palmer's five children. Ambrose, a former girlfriend of Palmer's, claimed Palmer had changed his will to favour her. According to commentators at AbsoluteRadio.co.uk, the courts denied Ms Ambrose's claim as without merit and she was awarded only $16,000.00 per the Court of Appeal of Ticino 19 December 2007 (11.2004.49) in compensation with the remainder of the estate divided amongst Palmer's five children and UNICEF, to which Palmer donated a large charitable contribution.

On her All The Best compilation album, Palmer's Switzerland neighbour Tina Turner added a live version of "Addicted to Love" in tribute to him.