Andy Fletcher, the esteemed keyboardist and co-founder of the iconic 1980s band Depeche Mode, left an impressive estate valued at nearly £50 million following his untimely death at the age of 60 in May 2022. Fletcher, affectionately known as “Fletch,” succumbed to an aortic dissection, a sudden tear in the main artery of the heart, while at his home in St. John’s Wood, North London.
Probate records reveal that Fletcher’s British estate was valued at £46.8 million, with additional assets in Spain, where he owned a residence in the seaside town of Sitges, near Barcelona. The majority of his estate was bequeathed to his wife, Grainne, to whom he was married for nearly 30 years, and their two children, Megan and Joe.
In addition to providing for his immediate family, Fletcher allocated specific sums to other relatives and friends. He left £75,000 to his mother, Joy, who sadly passed away in January 2023, £30,000 to his brother Simon, £7,000 to his sister Susan, and £5,000 each to his seven nieces and nephews. Notably, Fletcher set aside £15,000 for a memorial gathering, stipulating that it be used for a party to celebrate his life. Depeche Mode honored this wish by hosting a remembrance event in London a month after his passing, describing it as “filled with the great memories of who Andy was, stories of all of our times together, and some good laughs.”
Born in Nottingham in 1961, Fletcher moved to Basildon during his youth, where he formed the band Composition of Sound with Martin Gore and Vince Clarke. With the addition of vocalist Dave Gahan, the group rebranded as Depeche Mode in 1980. Over four decades, the band achieved global acclaim, selling over 100 million records worldwide with hits like “Just Can’t Get Enough,” “Personal Jesus,” and “Enjoy the Silence.”
While Fletcher did not contribute to songwriting, he played a pivotal role in managing the band’s business affairs, handling logistics, contracts, and royalties. He once humorously remarked that he joined the band “by accident” and was “actually forced to be in the band.”
Following his death, Depeche Mode expressed profound sorrow, stating, “We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate.” They remembered Fletcher as having a “true heart of gold” and being a supportive and humorous friend.
Fletcher’s legacy endures through his significant contributions to Depeche Mode’s success and the lasting impact of their music on fans worldwide.