Gardener's World star Monty Don's net worth – plus near-death health scare

Gardener's World star Monty Don's net worth – plus near-death health scare

Monty Don is one of TV's most enduring experts as the host of Gardeners' World and a trusted source of advice for those wanting to grow their green-fingered skills. Fans of his BBC Two show were worried recently when rumours began swirling that he might be quitting Gardeners' World, but Monty, 68, reassured them that he wasn't going anywhere on a February appearance on The One Show.

"It is not true," he confirmed. "Unless I do something terribly wrong, I will be doing it for at least three more years including this year." But while the star has enjoyed a long career and makes a very decent living from his work, his life has not been all plain sailing as he has suffered more than his fair share of personal tragedy and illness.

Monty Don is one of TV's most trusted experts
Monty Don is one of TV's most trusted experts -Credit:BBC/Richard Hanmer

Net worth

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Taking over Gardeners' World from Alan Titchmarsh in 2003 has proved a savvy career move for Monty, who has cemented himself as a trusted voice for gardening advice after starting out in broadcasting with a gardening segment on This Morning.

Recent reports estimate his net worth to be between £1 million and £3 million thanks to his 20 years fronting the long-running BBC series.

Being the face of Gardeners' World can only have helped Monty's publishing career, too, as the keen writer has had successes with books about horticulture, his love of dogs, and a joint autobiography with his wife Sarah about their home and garden.

The Gardeners' World star has hosted the series for 20 years
The Gardeners' World star has hosted the series for 20 years -Credit:BBC/Richard Hanmer

Financial ruin

There was a time in Monty's life where he would only have been able to dream of his current high worth, as back in the 80s he and wife Sarah came close to bankruptcy.

Monty and Sarah had a Knightsbridge-based costume jewellery business that boasted celebrity clients including Boy George, Michael Jackson and Princess Diana.

However, despite Monty Don Jewellery being stocked in Harrods and Harvey Nichols, the business was hit hard by the stock market crash of 1987 and the couple were on the brink of being declared bankrupt.

Monty's love of dogs is well known by his fans
Monty's love of dogs is well known by his fans -Credit:BBC

Monty wrote: "We were lambs to the slaughter and we lost everything, [...] we lost our house, our business. We sold every stick of furniture we had at Leominster market."

Out of financial ruin came huge success for Monty, though, as it prompted him to begin his writing and broadcasting career.

Health woes

Monty was forced to take a break from Gardeners' World in 2008 after suffering a mini-stroke - although it was around a month before he sought medical help.

He told the Guardian in 2009: "I was so exhausted I did not know whether I was coming or going. I remember waking up feeling strange and dizzy. I said to my wife Sarah, 'God, something funny is happening; I may be having a stroke.'"

Monty has been open about physical and mental health struggles
Monty has been open about physical and mental health struggles -Credit:Instagram

But because he could still move his fingers, Monty had convinced himself he was fine and went out on a walk with Sarah - although he added that he still felt ill: "I turned to Sarah and said 'Hold me because I think I'm dying and, if I am, I want to die in your arms'."

Monty's GP later confirmed he had suffered a mini-stroke, which came on the back of another potentially serious illness in 2007.

While filming Around the World in 80 Gardens he was diagnosed with peritonitis, an infection on the inner lining of the abdomen. He told Amateur Gardening Magazine: "My wife found me collapsed. If she had not found me I would have died."

Depression struggles

The gardener has said he uses a lightbox to help his depression
The gardener has said he uses a lightbox to help his depression -Credit:Instagram

As well as battling physical health problems, the horticulturalist has been open about his tough struggles with mental health as he has experienced depression since he was in his twenties.

Monty has had cognitive behavioural therapy and has taken Prozac, but eventually decided to try out a lightbox when he realised his depression was mostly seasonal.

Talking to the BBC in 2020, Monty explained: "I have for many years suffered from depression, which comes and goes but tends to be something that is worse in winter. And, touch wood, it’s been much better for the last few years. But for me, the benefits of nature are all about the physical connection with the rhythm of the natural world."

Monty with his beloved dog Nellie
Monty with his beloved dog Nellie -Credit:Instagram

Monty's love of dogs has also carried him through many of life's low moments, so he was devastated to lose his faithful friend Golden Retriever Nigel in 2020.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "He was a bear of slightly limited brain, what he had was this absolute sense of purity. He exuded a kind of unsullied innocence and we all love our dogs, everybody thinks their dog is special, I've had lots of dogs and there was something special about Nigel."