In 2010, British singer George Michael secretly paid for a woman’s fertility treatment after watching her discuss her struggle to conceive on television. Jo Maidment had been denied NHS-funded treatment because her partner already had a child. Moved by her story, Michael offered to pay for a round of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) without revealing his identity. Two years later, Maidment gave birth to her daughter, Betsy.Maidment had appeared on ITV’s This Morning to discuss her difficulties starting a family. According to ITV, she wanted to raise awareness about others facing similar problems, but two days after returning home, she received an unexpected call. A personal assistant told her that an unnamed businessman wanted to fund one cycle of IVF.Initially unsure about accepting the offer, Maidment eventually agreed. Her first IVF attempt was unsuccessful, but she had frozen eggs remaining from the treatment. A second attempt led to the birth of Betsy in 2012.It was only after bringing her daughter home that Maidment discovered who had paid for her treatment. A bouquet of flowers arrived with a card signed by George Michael, revealing that he had been the anonymous donor.
Why George Michael paid for the treatment
Maidment had been refused NHS funding because her partner already had a daughter. After hearing her story on television, Michael arranged for his personal assistant, Michelle, to contact her.Recalling the call during a January 2017 appearance on This Morning, Maidment told presenters Phillip Schofield and Davina McCall, “I was home for two days and got a phone call from a PA saying a businessman would like to donate some money for one cycle of IVF for you.”She admitted that she initially struggled to believe the offer and took several days to respond. “I didn’t believe it at first. And it took me a good few days to respond because that wasn’t what I came on the show for, I wanted to help other people in my position.“But then we agreed to it, because the PA Michelle said it was what this particular man wanted.” Michael’s identity remained a secret throughout her treatment.
How a bouquet revealed George Michael’s identity
Maidment’s first IVF cycle failed, but she was able to try again using eggs frozen during the process. The second attempt was successful, and she welcomed Betsy in 2012.A few days after returning home with her daughter, Maidment received several congratulatory cards and flowers. One particularly large bouquet came with a message that revealed who had helped her.She recalled, “It was a couple of days after we came home with Betsy and we had loads of cards and flowers. There was a massive bouquet of flowers that came and I read the card that said, ‘Congratulations to you both. Lots of love to Betsy. Love from Michelleand George Michael (AKA Anonymous) xx.’“Me and my husband read it hundreds of times to believe it.” The couple finally knew that the singer had funded the treatment that helped them become parents.
Maidment shared the story after Michael’s death
George Michael died on Christmas Day in 2016, aged 53. Following his death, several stories emerged about donations he had made privately to individuals and charities.On January 3, 2017, Maidment returned to This Morning to reveal his role in helping her have Betsy. ITV said the disclosure was made with his family’s blessing. “I cannot ever thank him enough for what he has done for me and my husband,” she said.Maidment also expressed regret that she would never be able to thank Michael personally or introduce him to her daughter.“Betsy is now four and a half. I was really upset when I found out George Michael had died because I can never thank him personally and he never got to meet her. Betsy will know when she’s old enough,” she said.According to ITV News, Maidment also donated her appearance fee from the programme to Childline.
