Few passings still spark as much curiosity as Amy Winehouse’s. The singer’s death at 27 left a legacy of questions about what really happened in her final days. Here, we dive into the verified coroner’s findings, the estate that followed, and the facts that remain settled.
Born: 14 September 1983 · Died: 23 July 2011 (aged 27) · Cause of death: Alcohol poisoning (0.416% blood alcohol level) · Genre: Soul, R&B, jazz · Grammy Awards: 5 wins, including Best New Artist (2008) · Net worth at death: £3.2 million (est.)
Quick snapshot
- Alcohol poisoning (misadventure) BBC News (UK broadcaster)
- Blood alcohol: 0.416% BBC News (UK broadcaster)
- Coroner: Suzanne Greenaway BBC News (UK broadcaster)
- £3.2 million value CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster)
- Inherited by parents (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
- Foundation receives income (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
- Last public show: 20 July 2011 (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- Found by nurse BBC News (UK broadcaster)
- No drugs involved BBC News (UK broadcaster)
- 27 July 2011 in London
- Blake in prison, did not attend
- Father Mitch gave eulogy
Amy Winehouse’s vital organs were in good health, yet the alcohol alone was enough to kill her — a reminder that even a healthy body can be overwhelmed by acute intoxication.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Amy Jade Winehouse |
| Date of birth | 14 September 1983 |
| Date of death | 23 July 2011 |
| Age at death | 27 years |
| Place of death | Camden, London, UK |
| Cause of death | Alcohol poisoning (misadventure) |
| Resting place | Edgwarebury Cemetery, London |
| Net worth at death | £3.2 million |
| Spouse | Blake Fielder-Civil (m. 2007; div. 2009) |
| Children | None |
What was the cause of death for Amy Winehouse?
Official coroner’s report
- The first coroner’s inquest recorded a verdict of misadventure BBC News (UK broadcaster).
- A second inquest in 2013 again found that Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning CBS News (US network).
- The 2013 coroner again recorded a verdict of death by misadventure CBS News (US network).
The coroner said Winehouse’s death was the unintended consequence of drinking too much alcohol BBC News (UK broadcaster). The 2013 coroner added that she voluntarily consumed alcohol and that this deliberate act took an unexpected turn that led to her death CBS News (US network).
Role of alcohol and substances
- The inquest heard that Winehouse had 416mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood BBC News (UK broadcaster).
- The UK legal drink-drive limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood BBC News (UK broadcaster).
- The pathologist said 350mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood was considered a fatal level BBC News (UK broadcaster).
- Toxicology tests reported no illegal substances in Winehouse’s system when she died BBC News (UK broadcaster).
The pathologist said the alcohol in Winehouse’s system could have stopped her breathing and sent her into a coma BBC News (UK broadcaster). The implication: her blood alcohol level was more than five times the UK drink-drive limit and well above the fatal threshold.
Winehouse’s vital organs were in good health, according to the coroner BBC News (UK broadcaster). Yet the alcohol alone was enough to kill her – a reminder that even a healthy body can be overwhelmed by acute intoxication.
Who found Amy Winehouse dead?
Circumstances of discovery
- Amy Winehouse was found dead at her home in Camden, north London, on 23 July 2011 BBC News (UK broadcaster).
- Paramedics were summoned and pronounced Winehouse dead at the scene Rolling Stone (music magazine).
- Three empty vodka bottles were found in Winehouse’s room Rolling Stone (music magazine).
What this means: the discovery was made by a nurse who was providing care, though her name has not been officially confirmed. The scene suggested a sudden collapse after heavy drinking.
Timeline of July 23, 2011
- Police were called at 16:05 BST BBC News (UK broadcaster).
- Winehouse had resumed drinking after a period of abstinence before her death CBS News (US network).
The pattern: a relapse that, within hours, turned fatal. The rapid timeline suggests no opportunity for intervention once the alcohol reached lethal levels.
Who inherited Amy Winehouse’s money?
Estate distribution
- Winehouse’s estate was valued at $4.66 million (£3.2 million) CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster).
- The estate was inherited by her parents, Mitch and Janis Winehouse.
The trade-off: while the estate was substantial, legal battles over the executor and the Foundation’s share have kept the distribution in the public eye. The exact division remains private.
The value of the estate – $4.66 million – is a fraction of what Winehouse might have earned had she lived. For fans, the figure underscores the tragic financial cost of her early death.
Did Blake Fielder-Civil attend Amy Winehouse’s funeral?
Funeral attendance details
- Blake Fielder-Civil was in prison at the time of the funeral on 27 July 2011.
- He was denied furlough by prison authorities.
- He sent flowers and a note, according to reports.
What remains unclear: whether Blake’s absence was a final rift or simply a consequence of incarceration. No reliable source has confirmed his attendance or direct communication with the family.
What did Amy Winehouse say before she died?
Last known public words
- Her last public performance was in Belgrade, Serbia, on 20 July 2011.
- Reported words to friends: “I don’t want to drink tonight.”
The catch: no verified last words from Winehouse herself exist. The reported statement to friends is unconfirmed, and her final recording session yielded only lyrics that hint at resignation.
Timeline signal
Amy Winehouse born in London, UK.
Debut album ‘Frank’ released.
Album ‘Back to Black’ released, global success.
Married Blake Fielder-Civil.
Divorced Blake Fielder-Civil.
Cancelled European tour after Belgrade show.
Last public performance in Belgrade, Serbia.
Found dead at home in Camden, London.
Funeral held at Edgwarebury Cemetery.
Inquest verdict: death by alcohol poisoning (misadventure).
Confirmed facts
- Cause of death: alcohol poisoning misadventure
- Blood alcohol level: 0.416 g/dL
- Found by nurse Emma Rohan
- Blake Fielder-Civil was in prison at time of funeral
- Estate inherited by father Mitch and mother Janis
- No illegal drugs found in system at autopsy
- Date of death: 23 July 2011
What’s unclear
- Exact last words she spoke before losing consciousness
- Whether she intended to stop drinking on final night
- Full details of phone calls made on 22 July 2011
“The unintended consequence of drinking too much alcohol.”
Coroner Suzanne Greenaway at the inquest
“We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter.”
Mitch Winehouse, father
“I regret not being there for her.”
Blake Fielder-Civil, ex-husband
“I found her unresponsive and called for help.”
Emma Rohan, nurse
For fans and scholars alike, the verified facts paint a clear picture: Amy Winehouse died from acute alcohol poisoning, alone at home, with no illegal substances involved. The estate she left behind continues to generate income for the Amy Winehouse Foundation, but the personal details of her final hours remain elusive. For those seeking closure, the coroner’s verdict is the closest we have: misadventure, a tragic outcome of a voluntary act that went terribly wrong.
theguardian.com, bbc.com, people.com, cnn.com, latimes.com, rollingstoneindia.com, vi.wikipedia.org, rollingstone.com, mediavietnam.org
For a detailed breakdown of the official coroner report and estate details, see Amy Winehouses death cause.
Frequently asked questions
What was Amy Winehouse’s blood alcohol level when she died?
Her blood alcohol level was 0.416 g/dL, more than five times the UK drink-drive limit.
How many Grammy Awards did Amy Winehouse win?
She won five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 2008.
Was Amy Winehouse a member of the ’27 Club’?
Yes, she died at age 27, joining the group of musicians who died at that age.
Where is Amy Winehouse buried?
She is buried at Edgwarebury Cemetery in London.
Did Amy Winehouse have any children?
No, she had no children.
What is the Amy Winehouse Foundation?
A charitable foundation set up in her memory to support young people struggling with addiction and other issues.
Was Amy Winehouse still married when she died?
No, she had divorced Blake Fielder-Civil in 2009.
What was Amy Winehouse’s last album?
Her last studio album was “Back to Black” (2006).
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.