Montagu Denis Wyatt Don

Monty Don is a British horticulturist, writer, and television presenter best known as the long-time host of the BBC gardening series Gardeners’ World. Born in 1955 in Germany and raised in England, he became one of the UK’s most recognizable gardening personalities through television programmes, books, and journalism.

Overview

Montagu Denis Wyatt Don's Profile

Monty Don was born 8 July 1955 in Iserlohn, West Germany, to British parents Denis Thomas Keiller Don, a career soldier, and Janet Montagu Wyatt. He grew up mainly in Hampshire, England, where he developed an early interest in gardening.

He studied English at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he met his future wife, Sarah Erskine. In the early 1980s the couple started a costume jewellery business, which initially became very successful but collapsed after the 1987 stock market crash, leaving them in financial difficulty.

Don began his television career in 1989 with gardening segments on ITV’s This Morning. His expertise and calm presenting style soon led to further opportunities, including gardening programmes for both the BBC and Channel 4.

In 2003, he became the lead presenter of the BBC series Gardeners’ World, a role that made him one of the UK’s most respected gardening broadcasters. The programme is largely filmed in his own garden, Longmeadow in Herefordshire.

Don lives in Herefordshire with his wife Sarah and continues to write books, host TV programmes, and promote environmentally friendly gardening.

Quick Facts

1
Shows Hosted

0
Shows Currently Hosting

37
Years Active

2
Awards & Nominations

TV Shows​

A list of television shows hosted by this host, including current programs and previous presenting roles.

Current Shows

No current shows found.

Past Shows

No past shows found.

Networks

A list of Networks that this host has worked for.

Current Networks

No current networks found.

Past Networks

No past networks found.

Personal Life

Family, relationships and background

  • Marriage Sarah Don from 1983 to (Current wife)
  • Adam Don, a biological child with Sarah Don, born in
  • Freya Don, a biological child with Sarah Don, born in
  • Tom Don, a biological child with Sarah Don, born in

Education

Educational background and qualifications

  • Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke, Hampshire
  • Attended Magdalene College, Cambridge; studied English

Net Worth & Income

Income sources, net worth, and properties.

  • Salary from the presenter role at BBC
  • Income from publication contributions columns e.g., The Observer, Gardeners’ World Magazine
  • Revenue from book sales; Don has written over 25 books

Awards

Awards & recognition

  • RHS Victoria Medal of Honour - Contribution to horticulture (2022)
  • The Roy Lancaster Award - Broadcast of the Year, Monty Don's Adriatic Gardens (2023)