PETROLHEAD Richard Hammond fought to save his marriage for almost 18 months before finally accepting it was over, The Sun can reveal.
Despite his best efforts, the former Top Gear host was forced to move into a converted barn at the family home, Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire, around August 2023 after wife Mindy said she had “had enough”.
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Mindy Hammond and Richard Hammond have announced plans to divorce after 23 years of marriageCredit: Getty
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TV presenter Hammond has moved out of their home and currently lives nearby Credit: Click News and Media
And friends claim he now lives in rented buildings a short commute away – near his car restoration business, The Smallest Cog.
“He tried everything,” one told The Sun. “He had hoped they could live separately at the same address under different roofs, but Mindy was pushing for a full divorce.
“He even dragged her to the south of France to patch things up, but it just didn’t work out.”
So now they’re heading for a mega-dollar divorce — which will be one of the biggest celebrity payouts the UK has ever seen.
READ MORE ABOUT RICHARD HAMMOND
We revealed yesterday that Mindy “just wanted him gone” as the couple released a statement following the breakdown of their 23-year marriage.
Grit with a shovel
“A bit of news from us,” Richard wrote on X/Twitter. “This Christmas we were together as a family and this year we will continue to be a family, just structured a little differently.
“Our marriage is coming to an end, but we’ve had an amazing 28 years together and two amazing daughters.
“We will always be in each other’s lives and we are proud of the family we have created.”
The couple’s next steps will involve dividing Richard’s £37 million fortune.
Richard Hammond and his wife have embarked on a multi-million dollar divorce battle as they have confirmed their divorce after 28 years
Sources close to the couple say Mindy is desperate to keep their £7million mansion and in return is offering him their holiday retreat in Buttermere in the Lake District and their flat in London.
However, they will not decide only on property.
Over the years, 55-year-old Hammond – nicknamed ‘The Hamster’ by his Top Gear pals – has splurged on a fleet of luxury cars, exotic holidays and stunning properties including a Herefordshire castle, after shrewd investments and huge TV payouts from his rocket of fortune.
But his career began far from the glitz and glamor of broadcasting.
At 16, he worked on a chicken farm, just so he could buy his first motorbike.
And his first real job involved shoveling sand into a water filtration plant before moving on to local radio.
Knowing that he finally wanted to be in Top Gear, he took a job in PR at Renault.
His dream came true in 2002 when it was revealed as the latest addition to the renewed series.
Then, in 2006, an accident while filming the series almost killed him, leaving him in a coma.
The following year, Richard signed a six-figure deal with Orion for a book about a nightmare.
In addition to a 25-year TV career, he is the author of several books, including children’s science titles.
His earnings have been boosted further by YouTube channel DriveTribe – which has 2.75 million subscribers and earns up to £17,500 a month – and voiceovers for video games including Forza Motorsport5.
Alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Richard became part of the Top Gear team that would ultimately redefine in-car television.
Yesterday, his former co-host and Sun columnist Jeremy wrote a heartfelt message of support for the couple on social media.
It read: “Love to you all – 28 years of inspiration. Hope the next chapter of your lives is everything you want it to be.”
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Hammond has a collection of cars and motorcycles thanks to his long career as a car expert Credit: Mega
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Hammond runs a car restoration business in addition to his television business Credit: instagram
Speaking about his big success on Top Gear, Hammond said: “It’s been amazing, it’s an amazing thing to do.
“I wanted to do TV shows about cars. I started on the radio, local radio, as a host.
“I was starving and realized I just couldn’t make a living, but I wanted to do car shows.”
However, his move to The Grand Tour really changed the speed of his earnings.
After leaving the BBC in 2015, his annual salary reportedly rose from £500,000 to a whopping £7.2 million.
The Amazon Prime series became a hit, cementing his position as one of the highest-paid hosts in the country.
He also made a ton of money headlining shows like Brainiac: Science Abuse from 2003 to 2006; Total Wipeout from 2009 to 2012; and Planet Earth Live 2012.
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Richard Hammond has bought Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire as his family home, with millions earned from TVCredit: Rex
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The property was worth £2.5m at the time Hammond bought it and boasts a swimming pool
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The stunning mock castle has six bedrooms and 20 acres of picturesque grounds
However, one of his most famous ventures was the purchase of Bollitree Castle.
The Grade II listed property, located in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, was purchased from Mindy in 2008.
Worth £2.5 million at the time, the stunning mock castle has six bedrooms, a swimming pool and 20 acres of picturesque land.
In addition, there is a “club house”, where Richard keeps all his motorcycles and other automotive equipment. The luxury pillow also has a unique history.
Built in the 18th century, it was said to have been turned into a castle by a man desperate to win the heart of a Spanish woman.
Explaining the history, Richard said: “She said she would only live in England if she was in a castle.
The golden rule
So he tore down the castle that was in the neighboring field and nailed it to his barn, turning it into a castle.”
Despite its grandeur and incredible amenities, Bollitree was not without its challenges.
Richard described how “parts keep falling off him”. And in 2023, Herefordshire Council rejected his plans to redevelop parts of the estate after objections from locals.
The castle also boasts converted stables, including one where Richard is said to have lived.
But the farm building is certainly not to be scoffed at, as it comes equipped with many luxuries.
While touring fans last year, Richard hinted at tensions with Mindy by mentioning that he had broken her one golden rule.
And during the sightseeing, he persisted: “This is not a man’s cave, I hate that phrase.”
“If I call it something, I call it a club for family, friends and business use.”
Richard also revealed that his wife would never enter the barn because she believes it is haunted.
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Richard and Mindy Hammond with daughters Willow and Isabella in 2017, now in their twenties Credit: Rex
The couple’s eldest daughter Isabella, 24, still lives on the sprawling estate working with her father, while younger daughter Willow, 22, remains in Gloucestershire.
Also in Richard and Mindy’s property portfolio is their London flat, a holiday home in Saint Tropez and their Lake District prison.
Richard’s love for motoring goes beyond the TV screen and all the way to his personal garage, which houses an enviable collection of vintage and luxury cars.
Among his prized possessions are a Ford Mustang, a Porsche and the Lotus Esprit Sport, a lightweight vehicle first introduced in 1993 known for its powerful performance.
He also owns a 1931 Lagonda, which can fetch up to £190,000. But that’s not all – Richard reportedly owns a Bentley and two classic Jaguars.
The total value of his car collection is estimated at around £2 million, according to VIPFortunes.
He also has a £150,000 helicopter which he bought in 2009 to travel to and from his base in Hereford.
Richard has also been a director of five companies – with the current company, Chimp Productions, which he runs with Mindy.
It states the nature of its business as a television production activity.
It recorded cash in the bank and in the till as £1.45m in 2024, according to Companies House. The previous year it was £1.5m.
The star previously had a company called W. Chump and Sons, founded by friends May and Clarkson, which has now been dissolved.
According to sources, Hammond’s business alone has earned him a staggering £35 million.
With his dream career and the vast wealth it has brought him, some might say that Richard has it all.
But as he closes the door on his decades-long marriage, it seems money hasn’t bought him happiness. . .
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Hammond owns a £150,000 helicopter which he bought in 2009 to transport to and from his base in HerefordCredit: Fame Flynet
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His dream career has seen him amass a fortune of £37m – which could now be sharedCredit: London Media Press
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Hammond became a TV hit on Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May. Credit: Handout
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The trio continued their work on Amazon Prime with the motoring show The Grand TourCredit: Amazon MGM Studios
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