Monty Don revealed that he and his wife Sarah “lost all out money” during a dire worldwide economic situation that saw the couple “lose everything: our house, business, furniture”
Robin Cottle Assistant Editor Trendswatch
18:00, 30 Jan 2026
Monty Don and his wife Sarah faced a dire financial situation (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
Gardeners’ World icon Monty Don revealed he and his wife Sarah once “lost all our money” in a “difficult” financial moment.
The gardening presenter and his spouse have been married for more than 42 years. While he is now one of Britain’s most iconic gardening presenters, the couple faced a tough time early in their marriage after they were victims of the 1987 financial crash.
Speaking to the Times, Monty said: “We lost everything: our house, business, furniture. (The jewellery business he ran with his wife collapsed after the crash).
“For about two years, we literally had no money. I was claiming the dole. We were severely in debt. We didn’t go bankrupt. With hindsight, maybe we were stupid — maybe we should have just said: ‘We can’t do this.’ It took me seven years to pay it all back. It was very difficult.”
The financial crash in 1987, known as Black Monday, was a global, severe and largely unexpected stock market crash that sparked fears of extended global instability.
Monty and Sarah managed to pull themselves out of their financial hole. Monty started writing a gardening column for the Mail on Sunday in 1989 before he soon started presenting a live gardening segment on This Morning later in the same year.
Monty said the couple “lost all our money” (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
The TV star also took presenting roles on BBC shows Holiday and Tomorrow’s World. He had some doubts about his ability as a presenter but he took the jobs as he needed the work.
He became Gardeners’ World’s main presenter in 2003, taking over from the legendary Alan Titchmarsh, and has held the position ever since bar a short hiatus as he recovered from health issues.
Monty and Sarah have three grown-up children – Adam, Tom and Freya.
Meanwhile, the BBC presenter admitted another popular BBC programme keeps trying to sign him up. He says he has asked to do Strictly Come Dancing four times, turning down Beeb chiefs every time they have asked.
Monty Don (Image: PA)
He told The Times: “I have been asked to do Strictly Come Dancing four times. Last time, when I said no, it took a lot of persuading that I really meant it. I am without question the world’s worst dancer.
“I don’t like or understand dancing. I had a new knee in November, so my shapes are limited on the dancefloor.”
Monty also says he tries to avoid any programme with “celebrity” in its title.
He has spoken previously about how work can get in the way of his personal life. Speaking with The Guardian in 2009, he said: “Ask Sarah what the worst thing is about living with me and she would probably say that I always put work above everything else.
“To the detriment of my children, my wife, my health, my life. And what I am really bad at is saying no.”
Catch Monty Don on Gardeners’ World this evening (Friday, January 30) on BBC Two from 8pm to 9pm. He also presents Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens from 7pm to 8pm tonight on the same channel.
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