Mindy Hammond ‘Journalist Richard Hammond Wife Split After 28 Years!

As the wife of the popular television host Richard Hammond, Amanda “Mindy” Hammond has maintained a somewhat low profile even as she stands out, radiating strength. Their relationship, coupled with her personal achievements and, most lately, a split that made headlines, put Mindy in a new light.

Who is Mindy Hammond?

Mindy Hammond, nee Amanda Etheridge, was born on July 6, 1965, in Cheltenham, UK. She is best known as the wife of Richard Hammond, the British television personality famed for Top Gear and The Grand Tour, but she is much more than that.

Before rising to public attention through her marriage to Richard, she had built a name for herself in public relations and journalism.

In fact, she once wrote a popular weekly column for the Daily Express, where she shared charming and humorous anecdotes about family life, parenting, and life in the English countryside.

Richard Hammond

Richard Hammond is a household name in the UK due to his work as a television personality, journalist, and author. He is mostly known for his role in the motoring programmes Top Gear & The Grand Tour. Due to his smaller frame compared to his hosts, he was nicknamed “The Hamster” by fans.

Hammond earned a reputation for his quick wit, brave nature, and passion for cars. He has written several books and has hosted many science and engineering shows.

Hammond, like many other television stars, had his fair share of life-threatening accidents while filming. To this day, he continues to pursue high-speed stunts with cars and tells stories about them.

The Love Story: Mindy and Richard Hammond

Mindy and Richard first met in 1995 when both were working at a PR firm in London. According to multiple publications, including The Hereford Times, the two seemed to click almost instantaneously, undergoing an “almost instant” transformation to being “inseparable”.

In 2002, they got married after their relationship flourished in the years prior. The couple balanced Richard’s increasing fame and a calmer family life.

They relocated to a countryside estate in Herefordshire, which Richard humorously labelled “Hammond Towers”.

Izzy Hammond, the eldest, and Willow Hammond are Richard and Mindy’s two daughters. The family are known to share a strong bond and prefer the calming lifestyle in the countryside, away from busy urban settings and Hollywood life.

Challenges Along the Way

Even though Richard and Mindy’s relationship is recognised to be one of the strongest, they did face challenges in their late marriage. Their most frightening hurdle was in 2006 when Richard had a near-fatal crash filming Top Gear.

After suffering a high-speed accident in a jet-powered car, he went into a coma for 2 weeks. The distressing experience could break most relationships. But Mindy and Richard overcame this period, which strengthened their bond, at least for a while.

In post-accident interviews, Richard often mentioned how Mindy’s affection made it possible for him to recover fully.

The Shocking News: Split After 28 Years

In January 2025, fans of The Hamonds were shocked to learn the couple had filed for divorce after 28 years of marriage. The couple reached the decision after having private conversations for months.

Mindy, now 59, apparently set the wheels in motion by “demanding a divorce” due to the differences accumulating over the years.

Family sources claimed that Richard’s constant travelling and career, coupled with the couple’s divergent life goals, were contributing factors.

Even though both parties have given public statements after the breakup, they have emphasised that they respect each other and are committed to co-parenting their adult daughters.

Mindy Hammond’s Current Life

Mindy was never really in the spotlight and seems to be enjoying her low-profile lifestyle post-divorce as compared to Richard’s ramped-up media coverage.

She still resides in the UK and is connected with her family and local community. Having previously written for the Daily Express, many are speculating that she might step up to journalism or media, but there have been no confirmations on that from her.

Social Media Presence

Mindy Hammond has maintained a relatively low profile on social media. However, she does have an active Instagram account where she shares moments of family life.

Richard Hammond appears to be very active on Instagram (@richardhammond) and Twitter/X (@RichardHammond), where he posts frequently. He showcases aspects of his work, his cars, and his life. Since the split announcement, he seems to have focused more on work and less on personal matters in his posts.

Latest News About Mindy and Richard

Following the news of the couple’s separation, reports have emerged that claim Mindy is hoping to acquire a ‘castle-style’ property in the UK countryside, valued at approximately £7 million, as part of the divorce settlement. This assertion gained traction from a TrendStream YouTube video and was featured in some tabloids.

In turn, Richard appears to be concentrating on new career ventures. Recently, he started a new YouTube channel focusing on motors, using his Top Gear and The Grand Tour fame to promote it. He has also teased new television projects, suggesting he will expand beyond his usual car programming.

Family values are prevalent in Richard’s public life. Following the breakup, their daughter Izzy Hammond, gave an emotional interview with Hello! Magazine where she recounted her childhood and commended her parents’ devotion, despite their difficulties.

Net Worth

While there is no official documentation unveiling Richard Hammond’s spouse Mindy Hammond’s net worth, it is clear to see that her career as a columnist alongside the success of her husband has provided financial footing.

Richard Hammond, her former husband, is estimated to have a net worth of around £37 million as of 2025, earned through his television work, book deals, endorsements, and businesses like DriveTribe.

After their split, Mindy is reportedly seeking a settlement that includes shared assets like their £7 million castle property.

Therefore, it is fair to estimate that Mindy Hammond’s net worth could range between £5 million and £10 million, depending on the final divorce arrangements.

Final Thoughts

Mindy Hammond has lived a life which demonstrates quiet strength and loyalty towards her family and passion for animals and storytelling. Although most of the public knew her as Richard Hammond’s wife, she has been a writer and a mother who has built her individualistic image. Mindy inspires everyone with her grace and resilience as she steps into a new chapter of her life after separation.