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Richard Hammond Discusses Marriage Split in New Amazon Prime Special
Television personality Richard Hammond has addressed his separation from Amanda Etheridge, his wife of 28 years, in his latest Amazon Prime Video program, “The Not Very Grand Tour.” The 55-year-old presenter, known for co-hosting motoring shows, shares two daughters with Etheridge, also known as Mindy. Hammond narrates sections of the show alongside James May, and in one part of the episode, he wryly comments on his changed personal circumstances.
Hammond’s On-Screen Quip
In a segment of “The Not Very Grand Tour,” Hammond made a lighthearted observation about modern relationships, stating, “In the 1800s, the average American travelled 50 metres a day. Now, the average person travels 50 kilometres a day, and some cover a lot more. If we travel more, we see more, we learn more. And we don’t have to marry whoever lives next door, which is my case,” he remarked. He then looked directly at the camera with a wry smile, prompting James May to interject and move the conversation along, saying, “Anyway!”
Long-Term Relationship
Despite the joke about not marrying a neighbor, Hammond and Mindy’s initial meeting was not in close proximity. They first met in 1995 while working at a public relations company in London. In his 2006 autobiography, “On The Edge: My Story,” Hammond recounted their first encounter, writing, “In an instant, I fell in love with her and realised I had met my soul-mate and best friend for life.”
Divorce Announcement
The couple married in 2002 and have two daughters, Isabella and Willow. They publicly announced their divorce in January of this year through a statement released on social media. In their joint statement, Richard and Mindy communicated the following:
- They spent Christmas together as a family.
- They will continue to operate as a family unit, albeit with a “slightly different” structure.
- Their marriage is concluding after 28 “amazing” years and the raising of two “incredible daughters.”
- They affirm they will remain connected in each other’s lives and take pride in their family.
Concluding their announcement, they added, “We won’t be commenting further and sincerely hope that our privacy and that of our children will be respected at this time. With love, Richard and Mindy.”
Property and Future Plans
Previously, the pair resided in Bollitree Castle, a £7 million residence in Hertfordshire. On the property, Hammond converted a listed barn into a personal “man cave.” Currently, Richard Hammond is reportedly renting a home in a nearby village and continues to operate his car restoration business, The Smallest Cog.
Castle Residence
Recent reports suggest that Amanda Etheridge is expected to retain ownership of Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire as part of their divorce settlement. The details of the property division remain private.