Richard Hammond's Wife, Mindy, Seeks £7 Million Castle Amid Divorce.
Richard Hammond, 55, the iconic Grand Tour star, and his wife Amanda 'Mindy' Hammond, 59, have announced the end of their 28-year marriage. The couple, who married in 2002, shared the news publicly on January 9, revealing that while their marriage is concluding, they will continue to cherish the family they have built together.
In their joint statement on X, they wrote: "Just a quick update from us; this Christmas, we celebrated together as a family, and while we will still be a family this year, it will look a little different." They added, “While our marriage is concluding, we cherish the wonderful 28 years we've spent together and the two amazing daughters we've raised. We will always remain a part of each other's lives and take pride in the family we've built. We won't be making any further comments and kindly ask for privacy for ourselves and our children during this time. With love, Richard and Mindy."
A key issue in their ongoing divorce discussions is the fate of their £7 million estate, Bollitree Castle. The Grade II listed property in Herefordshire boasts six acres and amenities such as a swimming pool. According to sources, Mindy, 59, is keen to retain the castle as part of the divorce settlement. Richard, 55, is said to be "very upset" by the split but has acknowledged that despite his efforts, the marriage could not be saved.
Richard has previously described their home in a more humorous light, saying, “It's not grand and it isn't really a castle. It's just a house, with some bits of castle nailed to it. It's not a particularly massive house.” However, his living arrangements following the split have sparked discussion. It's been reported that he is currently residing in a renovated barn on the estate.
The couple's relationship began in the 1990s when Richard fell for Mindy “in an instant” while they worked together at a PR agency in London. In his 2007 memoir On the Edge: My Story, Richard shared, “In an instant, I fell in love with her and realised I had met my soul-mate and best friend for life.”
Their marriage endured many trials, including Richard’s devastating 2006 Top Gear crash that left him in a two-week coma and caused severe memory loss. Mindy recalled the heartbreaking moment when Richard, upon waking from the coma, looked at her and said, “You're lovely, but you're not my wife.” She added, “When I corrected him, he responded, 'No, you're not my wife, my wife is French.'”
Despite the end of their marriage, Richard and Mindy remain devoted to co-parenting their two daughters, Isabella, 24, and Willow, 22. Their focus now is on maintaining the well-being of their family.
Richard Hammond's £7 million estate, Bollitree Castle, is a stunning property located in Herefordshire, England. The estate is a Grade II-listed property, meaning it is recognized for its historical importance. Hammond and his wife, Amanda "Mindy" Hammond, purchased the property in 2008. The estate spans six acres and features various luxurious amenities, including a swimming pool.
Despite being referred to as a "castle," Richard Hammond has previously mentioned that it isn't a grand, traditional castle, but rather a house with some castle-like features. He described it as "not a particularly massive house," with "some bits of castle nailed to it," emphasizing that it was more of a home with a touch of medieval design.
