Sir Paul Getty died on 17 April 2003 at the London Clinic,

The third of five sons of John Paul Getty, who built the Getty Oil company into one of the biggest petroleum companies in the US, Sir Paul made many philanthropic gifts throughout his lifetime, including £50m to the National Gallery; nearly £20m to the British Film Institute; £2m to the Imperial War Museum; £1m to the National Galleries of Scotland to save Canova's Three Graces for the country and £300,000 to Manchester City Art Gallery to prevent Duccio di Buoninsegna's Crucifixion being sold.

He was a great lover of cricket and also gave in the region of £2m to redevelop the Mound Stand at London's Lords Cricket Ground and £50,000 to the Oval Cricket Ground.

He also provided £5m to fund the restoration of the west front of St. Paul's Cathedral and £1m to purchase Winston Churchill's private papers for the nation. A further sum was given to Hereford Cathedral to enable the saving of the Mappa Mundi, a 13th century map of the world.

Born an American, Getty was awarded an honorary KBE in 1986 for his charitable services and was formally knighted by the Queen shortly after taking British citizenship in 1998.

He is survived by his third wife, three sons and two daughters.