Monty Don, the 71-year-old host of "Gardeners' World," marked his 43rd wedding anniversary with a seldom-seen photograph of his wife, Sarah. The couple, who met as undergraduates at Cambridge University, married in 1983 and have three children.
Don recently spoke about a challenging period in his life when the failure of his jewelry business led to a deep depression. He revealed on "The Rosebud Podcast" that his wife issued an ultimatum: he needed to seek help, or she would leave with their children. "She came to me one day and said, ‘Look, either you move out or I’m taking the children and moving out. I’m with you, I love you, I’m not leaving you, but we can’t go on living with you like this,’" Don recounted.
He described his state at the time as "angry, difficult and not somebody you want to live with." The prospect of his wife leaving, he said, "would have killed him," prompting him to seek medical assistance. A doctor prescribed Prozac, which he found to be effective. "After about ten days I remember washing up at the kitchen sink and noticing how beautiful the light was on the leaves in the hedge opposite... And I suddenly felt—I don’t feel sad. I feel okay," he recalled.
Don shared that he took Prozac for seven years. He later discussed with his doctor his desire to stop taking the medication, undergoing a six-month weaning process without returning to it. He also acknowledged the role of his career's increasing success in his recovery. "Fame really suits you," his wife told him, a sentiment he agreed with, noting the positive impact of public recognition.
His battle with depression stemmed from the collapse of their shared jewelry business, which once supplied stars like Princess Diana. The 1987 stock market crash severely impacted their American sales, their primary market, leading to near bankruptcy, the sale of properties, and Don receiving Jobseeker's Allowance.
Don also reflected on a childhood bout with cancer. At age 10, he was diagnosed with marrow cancer in his elbow. After surgery to remove the affected bone and marrow, he underwent a year of radiotherapy. He described this period positively, noting the focused time he spent with his mother, who collected him from school each day.
Regarding his marriage, Don has previously emphasized the collaborative nature of his relationship with Sarah, particularly concerning their garden. He stated on the "Gardeners World" podcast that their garden is a shared space and that all decisions, significant or minor, are made jointly, with a mutual veto power.
