Alexander McQueen left £100,000 to THT and £50,000 to his dogs in will

Fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who took his own life last year, has left £100,000 to HIV and sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and £50,000 to his pet dogs.

McQueen, who was openly gay, took a cocktail of drugs including cocaine before hanging himself the day before his mother’s funeral in February 2010. He had a history of depression and anxiety and had researched how to commit suicide on the internet before he died.

McQueen left a fortune of more than £16m in his will that included £100,000 each to THT, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the London Buddhist Centre and the Blue Cross animal welfare charity.

Sir Nick Partridge, chief executive of THT, said: “Alexander McQueen was a friend of THT. He supported us for over 12 years, working alongside the charity to raise awareness of HIV as well as vital funds. We’re touched that he chose to leave this generous legacy, which will be used to support those living with and affected by HIV in the UK.”

McQueen also left £50,000 to his godson as well as to each of his nephews and nieces. He left a quarter of a million each to his three sisters and two brothers.

McQueen’s label designed the wedding dress of Kate Middleton for her marriage to Prince William.