Richard Hammond Net Worth: $45 Million in 2025.
Richard Hammond, the English presenter, writer, and journalist, has an estimated net worth of $45 million (£37 million).
His substantial wealth has been primarily built on his decades-long career in television, most notably as the co-host of the globally successful motoring shows, Top Gear (BBC) and The Grand Tour (Amazon Prime), alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
His reported annual salary surged from an estimated during his BBC tenure to around million for his work on The Grand Tour. Beyond motoring, his earnings are diversified through his work on other popular programs, including Brainiac: Science Abuse, Total Wipeout, and his business venture Richard Hammond's Workshop on Discovery+. A key asset contributing to his net worth is his property, which includes the sprawling, Grade II-listed £7 million Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire.
Early Life and Career
Richard Mark Hammond was born on December 19, 1969, in Solihull, Warwickshire, England. In the mid-1980s, his family relocated to Ripon, where he went to Ripon Grammar School and later attended Harrogate College of Art and Technology.
After completing his education, Hammond kicked off his career at various BBC radio stations, including Radio Cleveland, Radio York, Radio Cumbria, Radio Leeds, and Radio Newcastle. While at Radio Lancashire, he crossed paths with motoring journalist Zogg Zieglar during his afternoon show. Hammond would call Zieglar for a weekly car review segment, and it was Zieglar who inspired him to explore motoring reviews on TV.
Top Gear
Richard Hammond tried out for the British car show "Top Gear" and joined as a presenter in 2002 when it got a fresh new look. He was part of the show for several years until his contract ended in March 2015, but he made a comeback for a special episode in June 2015 that lasted 75 minutes.
During his time on "Top Gear," fans started calling him "The Hamster" because he was smaller than his co-hosts, Jeremy Clarkson and James May. This nickname stuck, especially in series 7, where he famously munched on cardboard and acted all hamster-like. In September 2006, Richard had a terrifying accident while filming a segment for the show. He was zooming along at 288 mph (463 km/h) in a Vampire dragster when disaster struck—the front right tire blew out, causing the car to flip onto the grass.
He was found unconscious inside the wreck but came to after the car was righted. When he appeared on "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" in December 2006, he shared that he had been in a deep coma for two weeks after the crash and dealt with post-traumatic amnesia, struggling with a five-second memory. By 2011, he confessed that he couldn’t even remember the Jonathan Ross interview, highlighting just how serious his memory issues were.
Has Richard Hammond left his wife?
Yes — Richard Hammond and his wife Mindy confirmed their divorce in early 2025 after 23 years of marriage. The pair, who wed in 2002 and share two daughters, Isabelle and Willow, issued a joint statement saying their marriage had come to an end but they would remain close as a family. Reports at the time suggested Mindy sought to retain their £7 million Bollitree Castle estate as part of the settlement. Hammond has since moved into a rented farmhouse closer to his workshop.
What happened with Richard Hammond?
In 2025, Hammond went through a highly publicised divorce and left Bollitree Castle, the Herefordshire estate he had lived in since 2008. He now resides in a smaller rented farmhouse. Beyond his personal life, Hammond continues to work on television, with new seasons of The Grand Tour and Richard Hammond’s Workshop. He remains well-known for surviving his 2006 dragster crash, which left him in a coma and caused lasting memory issues.
Did Jeremy Clarkson have to pay Richard Hammond?
No, Jeremy Clarkson never had to pay Richard Hammond. Although the two are often linked in headlines, there has never been a financial dispute between them. In fact, Clarkson has long supported Hammond, including during his recovery from the 2006 crash. The two remain colleagues and friends, co-starring alongside James May in The Grand Tour.
Did Richard Hammond have dementia?
No — Richard Hammond does not have dementia. However, he has admitted to memory lapses and forgetfulness linked to his 2006 accident, where he suffered a serious brain injury in a high-speed crash. Doctors warned of long-term cognitive impacts, but Hammond has since gone on to lead a full television career, including creating and presenting his own shows.
Wider Television Career
Beyond Top Gear and The Grand Tour, Richard Hammond built a varied TV résumé. He fronted Sky1’s Brainiac: Science Abuse from 2003 to 2006, hosted Total Wipeout, Planet Earth Live, and Science of Stupid, and appeared in numerous science and engineering documentaries.
In recent years, he launched Richard Hammond’s Workshop, showcasing his love of cars and hands-on engineering. The series follows him restoring and customizing vehicles in his own UK-based garage, cementing his reputation as more than just a presenter, but a true enthusiast of car culture.
Salary
When the crew transitioned from the BBC to Amazon Studios in 2016, Richard began pulling in a yearly salary of $7 million.
Car Collection
Hammond is really into Porsche cars, especially the Porsche 911, and he's had a few different models over the years. He even calls the Pagani Zonda the ultimate supercar. One of his past rides was a 1982 Porsche 911 SC, which he sold in the mid-2000s, and he later got a 2006 Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S. Back in 2004, he picked up a Porsche 928 for his daily commute.
He's also dabbled in American muscle cars, owning a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, a 1967 Ford Mustang GT 390, and a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8, which he bought during a Series 12 episode of "Top Gear." On top of that, he has a BMW 850Ci, which he raced against Jeremy Clarkson's Mercedes CL600. In Series 18 of "Top Gear," it came out that he also had a Fiat 500 TwinAir, and by Series 21, he revealed he had just snagged a Porsche 911 GT3.
In March 2012, Hammond got his B206 LST helicopter license and later added a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter to his collection.
Real Estate
The Hammond family resides in a faux castle in Herefordshire. They also own a flat in London and a villa in Saint-Tropez. It's said that Richard dropped 2 million pounds on Bollitree Castle back in October 2012.
Richard Hammond's journey from a radio presenter to a global TV personality showcases his passion for cars, engineering, and entertainment. Despite his challenges, including a life-threatening accident, Hammond has continued to thrive in his career. His role in "Top Gear" and subsequent ventures, including "The Grand Tour" and his personal workshop project, have solidified his reputation as a beloved figure in the automotive world.
With a significant net worth, diverse career, and a growing car collection, Hammond’s influence and success continue to inspire fans. His dedication to both his craft and personal passions remains a key to his enduring appeal.
