Alex Salmond died without leaving will for his wife of more than 40 years
FORMER First Minister Alex Salmond died without a will leaving his wife of more than 40 years facing the prospect of a costly and drawn-out settlement.
The ex-SNP leader did not have his affairs in order when he died of a massive heart attack while opening a ketchup bottle during a lunch break at a conference in North Macedonia aged 69.
Widow Moira, 87, is automatically entitled to a sizeable chunk of his estate — but a insiders fear she could be hit by delays and open to challenges for whatever is left.
Mr Salmond owned the couple’s house, had five pensions from his time as a Royal Bank of Scotland economist, civil servant and Westminster and Holyrood politician.
A source said: “You might expect someone approaching 70 to have their affairs in order but it shows how focused on the future Alex was.
“Luckily they are a close family because there would be no surprise if there was a fight over the inheritance — especially when his nieces and nephews won’t be entitled to anything but really might have expected to be left at least a minding if there was a will.”
Alba Party founder Mr Salmond collapsed and died during a meal with business partner and political ally Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, 54, and summit delegates in October.
She helped run their Slainte Media firm, which produced his weekly chat show for the Russian state-controlled RT network.
Filings reveal the company had nearly £311,000 in shareholder funds two years ago.
Mr Salmond led the SNP twice during five decades in politics and served as First Minister between 2007 and 2014.
He claimed election victories as both an MP and an MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Banff and Buchan and Gordon in the north east.
Originally from Linlithgow, West Lothian, he owned a converted mill where he and Moira lived in Strichen eight miles south of Fraserburgh.
It is also believed he had built substantial savings.
The ex-Nats supremo also had a stint working as an economist after graduating from the University of St Andrews in 1978 before moving to RBS then into front-line politics.
A spouse can inherit up to £473,000 from the value the home, £29,000 worth of furniture and £89,000 in cash as ‘prior rights’ when their partner dies without a will.
Moira is entitled to half of his assets under ‘legal rights’ with any remaining money falling under ‘free estate’ which could be shared among his siblings.
Mr Salmond had no children, but was close to his two sisters Gail and Margaret, brother bob and their children.
A pal of the ex-First Minister says it is “surprising” he left no will and fears settling the estate could prove “messy and complicated.
Another source says there was “shock” among relatives when they discovered no will had been let.
They added: “It’s additional stress and upset for Moira, having to deal with the admin involved in sorting out the estate.
“The situation is very hard when there is a lot of sentimentality involved and emotions are high.”
A senior Alba Party member says there is no obligation to have a will in Scotland.
They added: “The family are sorting things out.”
Mr Salmond quit the SNP after leading it for 20 years and formed Alba four years ago.
He faced trial over sexual offences allegations and was acquitted of all 13 charges in 2020 before winning £512,000 during a legal fight over the Scottish Government’s botched handling of a probe into the claims.
Moira and her late husband’s friends have vowed to continue a civil court action seeking £3m of damages.
Her lawyers have been approached for comment.