Jeremy Clarkson, the well-known broadcaster and former Top Gear host, has made a significant shift in his lifestyle following serious health scares. Last year, he underwent emergency heart surgery, which involved having two stents fitted to improve blood flow to his heart. This sudden medical crisis forced him to rethink his daily habits—ditching bad diets, attempting exercise, and even considering weight-loss drugs.
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The 64-year-old, who is worth millions, is taking drastic steps to ensure longevity. But what’s really driving this transformation? Not fast cars or fiery debates, but something far smaller and far more powerful—a new addition to his family, his second grandchild.
Jeremy Clarkson motivated to stay alive longer by a new family member
Clarkson’s eldest daughter Emily gave birth to her second child, a baby daughter, Xanthe Fiadh, just days before Christmas in 2024. According to Sky News, Emily had a difficult pregnancy and her second childbirth felt like ‘the hardest thing I have ever been through.’ On her arrival, she took to Instagramand wrote:
She's here. Xanthe Fiadh Andrew arrived a few days ago and just brought the sunshine with her. We are all so happy xxxx.
Xanthe joins her older sister, Arlo Rose, who is now two years old.
Clarkson recently revealed that his two granddaughters have become his greatest source of joy—and his biggest incentive to improve his health. Clarkson expressed his deep love for his grandchildren in his column for The Sunday Times, stating:
I have decided that it is so wonderful that I want it to go on for as long as is humanly possible. Which means I must do everything in my power to not die.
This newfound commitment to health has led Clarkson to experiment with various fitness routines, reports The Sun. Although he has historically avoided gyms, cycling, and yoga, he liked to go on walks but they resulted in nothing. He explained:
Michelangelo’s David burns more calories than I do when I’m out and about, so I continued to get fatter and more out of breath, and when you want to see your grandchildren grow up, that’s not good enough.
He has now found an unexpected ally in Pilates. The slow-paced yet effective exercise method has helped him address long-standing issues such as poor posture and excess weight. While he admits that he still dislikes working out, he acknowledges that the results speak for themselves.
The presenter described the workout like ‘rubbing your tummy and patting your head while playing chess and flying a helicopter.’ He added:
I’m always surprised when I wake the morning after a session to find my legs are stiff because it doesn’t really feel like I’ve done very much at all…
That makes me happy because so far I’ve relied on luck to keep me alive.
He emphasised that he now realises he is in ‘sniper’s alley’ and must ‘work at dodging the bullets.’
Clarkson has also considered pharmaceutical options, including the weight-loss drug Mounjaro, reports MailOnline. Mounjaro is a diabetes medicine which has proven to reduce significant weight for patients in trials.
In his signature style, he joked about the process, admitting that while he previously saw exercise as ‘something you do when travelling from the car to the pub,’ he is now fully committed to doing whatever it takes to stick around for his granddaughters.
Jeremy Clarkson: A look at his health struggles
His recent health transformation comes after years of struggling with various medical issues. His heart condition was the most alarming, with doctors warning that he was potentially just days away from a fatal heart attack when he was rushed to the hospital, reports Yahoo!. He said at that time:
Was I days from death? Maybe.
His arteries were severely blocked, requiring immediate intervention. He added:
It seems that of the arteries feeding my heart with nourishing blood, one was completely blocked and the second of three was heading that way.
However, his heart problems are not his only health concern. Over the years, Clarkson has suffered from a slipped disc, hearing loss, high blood pressure, and joint pain. He was also diagnosed with pneumonia in 2017, which ultimately prompted him to quit smoking after decades of heavy cigarette use. Despite these challenges, he has been resistant to slowing down, continuing to work on Clarkson's Farm—which he admitted isn’t easy to run—and other projects.
Clarkson's hearing loss has also contributed to his worries about developing dementia, as previously covered on Oh! My Mag. He admitted that doctors warned him that struggling to hear conversations could significantly increase his risk. He revealed:
I was told after my most recent medical that hearing loss will double the chance of me catching dementia. Maybe it's already happening. That would explain why I can never find my spectacles.
Adding:
My brain is having to use a huge amount of computing power trying to fill in the bits of speech it hasn’t been able to hear.
Due to these health struggles, Clarkson has openly admitted that aging has taken a toll on him and even stepped back from his partnership with Richard Hammond and James May after 22 years together. However, his children and grandchildren have given him a revived hope to work for a healthier life. Let's have a look at who is in his family.
Meet Jeremy Clarkson's children and grandchildren
Jeremy Clarkson is the father of three children: Emily, Finlo, and Katya. His children, whom he shares with ex-wife Frances Cain, have largely stayed out of the limelight, except for Emily, who has built a career as a writer and influencer.
Emily Clarkson
According to Hello!, Emily Clarkson, now 30, is an author and podcast host. She has written two books, Can I Speak to Someone in Charge? and Dear Pretty Normal Me, and co-hosts the podcast Should I Delete That?, which tackles issues like online bullying and body image.
She has been vocal in standing against misogyny in the media, even publicly condemning her father for his controversial comments about Meghan Markle, reports The Standard.
Emily married talent manager Alex Andrew in 2022, and the couple welcomed their first child, Arlo Rose, in 2023. They recently expanded their family with the arrival of Xanthe Fiadh in December 2024.
Finlo Clarkson
Clarkson's only son, Finlo, 27, maintains a much lower profile. He reportedly has an interest in sports, particularly rugby, and has steered clear of the entertainment industry despite his father's fame, reports The London Wire.
Katya Clarkson
Meanwhile, the youngest of Clarkson's children, Katya, 23, is known to have a passion for photography. Like her brother, she avoids the public eye and leads a relatively private life.
This article has been created with the help of AI.
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Sources used:
The Sun: I'm doing everything I can to stay alive - a new arrival has made me determined not to die, says Jeremy Clarkson
MailOnline: Jeremy Clarkson reveals he may try "Ozempic-like" weight loss drug as part of health kick to "stay alive as long as possible" for his granddaughter after heart scare led to emergency operation
Sky News: Jeremy Clarkson's daughter Emily welcomes second child after difficult pregnancy
Yahoo!: Jeremy Clarkson's health struggles from stent to slipped disc
Oh! My Mag: Jeremy Clarkson: Everything you need to know about his health
Hello!: Meet Jeremy Clarkson's three children - from private son to famous author
The Standard: Emily Clarkson: Who is Jeremy Clarkson's daughter and what did she say?
The London Wire: Finlo Clarkson: Meet British TV Journalist Jeremy Clarkson Son
The Times: Jeremy Clarkson: I’m doing everything I can not to die, even Pilates
