‘Parent Trap’ star Hayley Mills lost her Disney fortune to ‘the tax man’
Hayley Mills, former child star of Disney films like 'The Parent Trap' and 'Pollyanna,' lost most of her earnings to a 90% tax bill due to a poorly managed trust fund set up during her youth. The trust, established by her father and his business manager, was challenged by British tax authorities, and despite a brief legal victory, the ruling was overturned by the House of Lords. Mills ultimately received little of her earnings and has spoken about the financial and personal challenges that followed.
- ▪Hayley Mills earned significant income as a child star under Walt Disney but lost most of it to a 90% surtax on her trust fund.
- ▪The trust was improperly set up by her father’s business manager, Stanley Passmore, and was later targeted by the Inland Revenue.
- ▪Lord Denning initially ruled in Mills’ favor, but the House of Lords overturned the decision, leaving her liable for the full tax bill.
- ▪Mills claimed she would have kept about £2 million—over $17 million today—if she had won the case.
- ▪She has described feeling unprepared for managing her career and finances after her Disney years.
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Celebrity News ‘Parent Trap’ star Hayley Mills lost her Disney fortune to ‘the tax man’ By Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News Published May 4, 2026, 2:45 a.m. ET Originally Published by: Barry Manilow, 82, gives update on his cancer battle as he cancels more tour dates Supermodel slams GLP-1 trend, says weight loss shots harm body positivity 'Yellowstone’ fans ‘about to pass out’ over ‘Dutton Ranch’ trailer as Beth and Rip return Hayley Mills skyrocketed to fame as a child star under Walt Disney’s wing for seven years — only to see her once-promising fortune slip away. The actress, whose most memorable roles included “Pollyanna” and “The Parent Trap,” recently appeared alongside her sister, Juliet Mills, on “The Rosebud Podcast.” The appearance celebrated Mills’ 80th birthday.
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