Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has entered a new chapter in his personal life following his separation from wife Amanda “Mindy” Hammond after 23 years of marriage. The television personality announced their split in January 2025, ending a relationship that had lasted 28 years. By 2026, Hammond had moved forward romantically with therapist Kiki Glen, attracting renewed attention to his former marriage, family life, and relationship history.
Richard and Mindy were once considered one of British television’s most familiar long-term couples. Their marriage survived demanding filming schedules, serious accidents, and years of public attention. Despite their separation, both have emphasized the importance of maintaining a close family relationship for their two daughters, Isabella and Willow.
Who Was Richard Hammond’s Wife Mindy?
Amanda Hammond, widely known as Mindy Hammond, is a British columnist and author who became familiar to television audiences through her marriage to Richard Hammond.
Born Amanda Etheridge, she developed her own professional identity through writing and media work while supporting her husband’s increasingly successful broadcasting career.
Mindy became particularly well known during Richard’s recovery from serious motoring accidents. Her experiences as the wife of a television presenter whose work frequently involved dangerous driving challenges brought additional public attention to their relationship.
Although Richard regularly appeared alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Mindy maintained a comparatively private lifestyle, concentrating on her family and writing.
How Did Richard and Mindy Hammond Meet?
Richard Hammond and Mindy Etheridge first met in 1997, several years before he became internationally famous through Top Gear.
Their relationship developed while Hammond was building his broadcasting career. At the time, he was working toward the television success that would eventually make him one of Britain’s most recognizable motoring presenters.
The couple married in May 2002, the same year Hammond joined the revamped Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson.
Their early married years coincided with his rapid professional rise. As the show’s popularity expanded internationally, Richard spent increasing amounts of time filming ambitious motoring challenges and traveling overseas.
Despite these demands, the couple remained together for more than two decades.
Why Did Richard Hammond and Mindy Divorce?
Richard and Mindy publicly announced their separation in January 2025 through a joint statement.
They explained that their marriage was ending after 28 years together, including 23 years as husband and wife. Their announcement emphasized that they intended to remain a family despite no longer continuing their romantic relationship.
The couple did not provide a detailed public explanation for the breakdown of their marriage.
Their decision surprised many longtime viewers who had followed Hammond’s career and remembered Mindy’s support during some of his most difficult experiences.
Rather than publicly assigning blame, both presented their separation as a personal decision and expressed their intention to protect their family relationships.
Mindy’s Support During Richard’s Serious Accidents
One of the defining periods of Richard and Mindy’s marriage came in September 2006, when Hammond suffered a serious brain injury while filming Top Gear.
He was driving a jet-powered Vampire dragster at approximately 288 mph when the vehicle crashed at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire.
Hammond required hospital treatment and a lengthy recovery. Mindy remained an important source of support as he dealt with the physical and emotional effects of the accident.
Another frightening incident occurred in June 2017 when Hammond crashed a Rimac Concept One electric supercar while filming The Grand Tour in Switzerland.
The vehicle caught fire after leaving the road, although Hammond managed to escape. He suffered a fractured knee and required further medical treatment.
These experiences placed extraordinary pressure on the family and became significant chapters in their marriage.
Do Richard and Mindy Hammond Have Children?
Richard Hammond and Mindy share two daughters, Isabella, commonly known as Izzy, and Willow.
Both daughters grew up during their father’s successful television career, although their parents generally attempted to maintain a degree of privacy around family life.
Izzy has occasionally appeared alongside Richard in media projects, including content connected to his automotive interests.
Following their parents’ separation, Richard and Mindy emphasized their commitment to remaining supportive parents.
Their daughters were already adults when the separation was announced, but the couple made clear that family connections would remain important.
Who Is Richard Hammond’s New Girlfriend Kiki Glen?
Richard Hammond’s romantic life attracted renewed attention in 2026 when his relationship with Kiki Glen became public.
Glen has been described as a therapist with connections to education, including work as a school governor in Oxford.
The relationship marked Hammond’s first widely reported romance following the breakdown of his marriage to Mindy.
During discussions about his personal life, Hammond expressed optimism about his circumstances and suggested that he was enjoying a positive period following considerable changes.
His new relationship generated interest because he had spent much of his public career married to Mindy.
However, Hammond has generally avoided revealing extensive personal details about Glen or their relationship.
Richard Hammond’s Life After Separation
Following the end of his marriage, Hammond reportedly moved into a smaller rented farmhouse near his previous family home.
The change represented a significant adjustment for someone who had spent decades sharing a household with his wife and children.
Professionally, Hammond has remained active through Richard Hammond’s Workshop, which follows his efforts to operate a classic vehicle restoration business.
His work has also continued through automotive media projects and public appearances.
By October 2026, Hammond’s personal circumstances had changed considerably, with his former marriage behind him and a new relationship becoming part of his public story.
Despite these developments, his family and automotive interests remain central to his life.
Where Richard and Mindy Stand Today
Richard Hammond and Mindy Hammond spent nearly three decades together, raising two daughters while navigating the demands of television fame and several serious personal challenges.
Their separation marked the conclusion of a significant relationship, but their public statements indicated a shared desire to preserve family connections.
As Hammond continues his television work and relationship with Kiki Glen, interest in his former marriage remains strong. His story reflects a major personal transition after years in one of British motoring television’s most recognizable families.
Leave a Reply