End of an Era

Richard Hammond, 55, widely recognized for his role in motoring shows Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has announced his separation from newspaper columnist Amanda "Mindy" Hammond, 59, after 28 years of marriage.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2002, shared the news in a joint statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). They revealed that while they spent Christmas together as a family, their future dynamic would shift in the new year.

“This year, we will still be a family but just structured a bit differently,” the statement read.

The couple emphasized their enduring respect for one another, celebrating their shared achievements, including raising their two daughters, Izzy, 24, and Willow, 22. They requested privacy during this transition, underscoring their commitment to remaining in each other’s lives.

Hammond, whose career has spanned decades, continues to connect with fans through projects like the podcast Who We Are Now With Izzy Richard, co-hosted with his eldest daughter. The podcast is set to return for a third series this year.

The Hammond family’s journey has also been chronicled on Richard Hammond's Workshop, a Discovery+ series documenting his efforts to establish a restoration business in Herefordshire.

Mindy has been a steadfast support throughout Hammond’s career, including in 2006, when she stood by him after a high-speed crash on Top Gear that left him with severe injuries.

The final episode of The Grand Tour, which aired in September 2023, featured the star journeying across Zimbabwe alongside his well-known co-hosts, Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

In a concluding statement, it was expressed, “We have no further comments to add and kindly request that our privacy, as well as the privacy of our children, be respected during this time.”