Richard and Mindy Hammond split after 23 years of marriage: 'We will always be in each other's lives'

who ended his partnership with Richard last year—and James May, Richard became a fan-favourite for his humour and daredevil stunts.

Affectionately nicknamed The Hamster during his years on Top Gear, Richard recently revealed a major update about his life. The 55-year-old announced the surprising end to his 23-year marriage to Amanda ‘Mindy’ Hammond. The couple revealed their decision to part ways through a joint statement on Richard’s X account. They wrote:

A little update from us; this Christmas we were together as a family and this year we will still be a family but just structured a bit differently.

Our marriage is coming to end, but we've had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters. We will always be in each other's lives and are proud of the family we created.

We won't be commenting further and sincerely hope that our privacy and that of our children will be respected at this time.

Richard Hammond and Mindy Hammond split: What we know so far

According to The Sun, newspaper columnist Mindy demanded the divorce as a source claimed she ‘wanted him gone.’ A source also told the publication that Richard is ‘very upset’ and tried to ‘rekindle’ their relationship before reaching the conclusion. They said:

Richard is very upset about all this. It seems he has tried hard to rekindle the relationship but to no avail.

Adding:

There is no speculation that any third party is involved.

Like every other separation, the big question that looms over the couple is over their divorce settlement. Reportedly, there have been discussions of significant financial settlements. Mindy is understood to be seeking ownership of their £7 million Bollitree Castle estate in Herefordshire, where she’s currently residing. They bought the house in 2008. It boasts six bedrooms, a swimming pool and 20 acres of land.

Meanwhile, Richard is staying at rented digs in a village nearby where he runs his Smallest Cog car restoration garage. Previously he was reported to be sleeping in the converted barn.

Mindy has proposed that Richard retain their holiday home in Buttermere and a London flat as a part of their settlement. Other elements of the settlement may include a share in Richard’s car restoration business and their joint production company, Chimp Productions. The 59-year-old has requested a half share in his businesses. She has also asked for a share in their horses, and an annual stipend of £500,000.

This comes as the former Top Gear star is worth around £70 million. He has an impressive car collection including a Ford Mustang, Lotus Esprit Sport, Porsche, a 1931 Lagona, and a Bentley. Richard recently also bought a £170,000 convertible Porsche 911 Turbo S. In 2009, he got a £150K helicopter as well.

Amid all the speculation over their divorce, let's take a look at their relationship and how they first got together.

Richard and Mindy Hammond: Everything we know about their relationship

Richard and Mindy’s romance began in 1995 when they met at a London PR firm. For Richard, it was love at first sight, reports Metro.co.uk. In his 2006 autobiography On The Edge: My Story, Richard wrote:

In an instant, I fell in love with her and realised I had met my soulmate and best friend for life.

Their relationship blossomed, and they welcomed their first daughter, Izzy, in 2001. A year later, in May 2002, they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony. They welcomed their second daughter, Willow, in 2004.

In 2006, their relationship was tested when Richard suffered a near-fatal accident during a high-speed jet-powered car crash while filming Top Gear. The crash left him with severe brain injuries which required months of rehabilitation, reports MailOnline.

During the ill-fated shoot, Richard was driving a jet-powered car at 288 mph when he lost control, resulting in a horrific crash. Airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, his survival hung by a thread. As he lay in a coma, doctors warned Mindy to prepare for the worst.

In a previous interview, Richard explained:

She had been called into intensive care and told “Mrs Hammond, I'm really sorry. Things aren't looking good... we're going to lose him.”

She was asked to try shouting at him and she did exactly that. Richard continued:

Apparently, she roared and screamed and swore at me "Don't you dare die". And that's when I turned back from this tree in my dream. And that's when I woke.

Richard also revealed what was happening in his head, when Mindy screamed at him and brought him back to life. When he woke up, he explained to his wife that when he was in a coma, he was walking in the Lake District overlooking Buttermere. He said:

I was having a lovely time strolling along and gradually I got a growing sense of — you know when you know you're in trouble? That feeling grew and grew.

It grew and grew until eventually in my dream I turned back... and then I woke. [after hearing Mindy’s voice]

However, the accident’s aftermath brought its own set of challenges. Richard’s recovery involved memory loss, mood swings, and depression. In an essay for The Telegraph, Mindy recalled moments when her husband’s behaviour changed dramatically. She shared that he didn’t initially recognise her and added:

Richard looked at me from his hospital bed and said: “You’re lovely, but you’re not my wife.” When I corrected him, he responded: “No, you’re not my wife, my wife is French.”

Despite overcoming these hardships, the couple have decided to part ways. However, they have vowed to remain amicable for the sake of their daughters.

Izzy, 24, and Willow, 22, have largely stayed out of the limelight but Izzy works alongside her father on projects like their podcast, Who Are We Now. Despite their reserved public presence, the sisters have often been described as the glue holding the family together during challenging times, reports The Sun.

Sources close to the Hammond family reveal that both daughters have been pillars of support for their parents, acting as intermediaries and offering emotional solace to both Richard and Mindy.

Izzy, who studied creative arts, shares her father’s passion for storytelling and occasionally collaborates with him on creative ventures. Willow, on the other hand, is reportedly pursuing a career in environmental science and has a deep bond with her mother, often contributing to her columns with ideas and anecdotes.

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Sources used:

Newsweek: Former Top Gear Host Richard Hammond Announces Shock Split With Wife Of 23 Years

The Sun: Richard Hammond’s wife ‘kicked him out to sleep in castle’s barn’ before split – as she gears up to fight for £7m estate

Metro.co.uk: How Richard Hammond ‘fell in love with his soulmate Mindy at first sight’ as couple split

MailOnline: How Richard Hammond's wife Mindy's screams saved him from near-death coma - as couple announce divorce after 28 years of marriage

The Sun: Who are Richard Hammond’s daughters Isabelle and Willow?