Richard Hammond, the former Top Gear presenter, has spoken about a period of profound personal change following the end of his 23-year marriage to Mindy. In a candid interview on the High Performance podcast, Hammond, 56, described living in a rented cottage after his split as a surprisingly happy time, stating it was "the happiest he's been in years."
Hammond detailed a period of significant loss, including the passing of his father, his dog, his marriage, and a substantial portion of his earnings from The Grand Tour. Despite these challenges, he expressed a sense of liberation and contentment during his time in the rented farmhouse, affectionately nicknamed 'Camp Farm.' He recalled enjoying simple moments, such as cooking for friends and spending time in a less opulent setting.
"I lived there for like a year. I bl**dy loved it," Hammond said. "No furniture really to speak of bits and pieces. Bit draughty in winter. But when friends came over, they came over to see me. Not the house, not the collection of cars – because that'd all gone."
His new relationship with therapist Kiki Glen became public in June, eight months after he and Mindy announced their separation in January 2025. In an earlier interview with The Times, Hammond spoke about his renewed happiness and engagement in new activities, including golf, running, and triathlon training, which led him to take up wild swimming. He noted his partner's enthusiasm for the activity, contrasting it with his initial reluctance.
Glen, whose full name is Keira, is a therapist and a governor at Headington Rye school in Oxford. She has two daughters, aged 26 and 24, similar in age to Hammond's daughters, Izzy and Willow, who are 26 and 23 respectively.
Following his split from Mindy, Hammond moved out of their marital home, Bollitree Castle, a mock-Gothic property valued at £7 million in Herefordshire. He then relocated to the rental property before starting a new life in Wales.
Hammond acknowledged the difficulties of the past few years, including being with his father during his final weeks. Despite the divorce, he and Mindy have maintained a civil relationship, appearing together at their daughter Willow's university graduation. In a joint statement announcing their separation, they described their 28 years together as "amazing" and expressed pride in the family they created, stating they would "always be in each other's lives."
The couple's marriage had reportedly been strained in recent years due to injuries Hammond sustained in two serious car crashes. In 2006, he was hospitalized after a crash while filming for Top Gear, and in 2017, he fractured his knee in a crash during The Grand Tour. An insider suggested these accidents had a profound physical and mental impact on Hammond, which in turn affected his relationship with Mindy.