Ricky Gervais Plans to Marry Jane Fallon After 40 Years for Tax Reasons

Ricky Gervais has made a name for himself by humorously critiquing sentimentality, so it’s no surprise that his long-anticipated decision to marry comes devoid of romance. The comedian has long maintained that a wedding ring wouldn’t alter his relationship with longtime partner Jane Fallon.

The couple first crossed paths as 21-year-olds at University College London in 1982 and have remained inseparable since, creating a life together without feeling the need to formalize it legally. Gervais has frequently pointed to the strength of their connection as evidence that marriage is merely unnecessary paperwork.

However, this perspective has now changed, albeit not for sentimental reasons. In an interview with Saga Magazine, Gervais revealed his intention to marry Fallon, candidly stating that the motivation is to avoid inheritance tax after more than 40 years together.

“And that will be the reason I marry,” Gervais told Saga Magazine. “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.”

The financial rationale behind this decision is quite clear. In the UK, assets passed on to a spouse or civil partner are exempt from inheritance tax, while unmarried couples do not enjoy this protection, with estates generally taxed at 40% above the available threshold.

For Gervais, who reportedly has a net worth of around £141 million and owns a significant property portfolio, including a £14.75 million mansion in Hampstead and additional properties in New York and Buckinghamshire, this distinction holds substantial financial implications. Fallon, with an estimated net worth of £1.3 million, would also benefit from the same spousal exemption once they are officially married.

Gervais openly acknowledged how transactional this decision sounds, admitting there’s no other real motivation behind it after everything they have built together. He suggested that their relationship has functioned like a marriage in every meaningful way for years, minus the legal documentation and the tax advantages that accompany it.

Fallon, now a bestselling novelist after transitioning from a career as a television producer, has previously discussed the couple’s choice not to marry or have children, expressing that she never felt compelled by traditional milestones like weddings or motherhood. Instead, they have cultivated a life characterized by close daily routines, with Gervais highlighting simple shared activities like walking, enjoying meals together, and watching television as central to their partnership.

This closeness has gained additional significance this year following Fallon’s breast cancer diagnosis after a routine mammogram. She has undergone two surgeries that were reported to have gone well, and she has since expressed optimism about returning to a normal routine.

Gervais has drawn direct parallels between his fears of losing Fallon and the emotional essence of his Netflix series ‘After Life,’ which depicts a grieving widower coping with the loss of his wife. He has previously stated that losing Fallon would be devastating, framing her as vital to his sense of stability and happiness.

For a couple that has built their relationship on defying convention, the eventual wedding is likely to lack much fanfare, at least according to Gervais. Practical considerations, rather than romantic ones, seem to be what is finally bridging the gap between four decades of partnership and an actual marriage certificate.

Whether they will set a specific date remains uncertain, but Gervais has made it clear that he doesn’t plan to wait much longer.

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