Monty Don has shared a deeply personal account of his battle with depression, revealing that it almost led to the end of his 40-year marriage to Sarah Erskine. The much-loved gardener and TV presenter opened up on The Rosebud Podcast, confessing how his mental health took a drastic toll on both his family life and career.
“I was angry, difficult, and not somebody you want to live with,” Monty said, recalling how his wife threatened to leave him after the collapse of his jewelry business in the late ’80s, which spiraled him into a “shameful” hole of depression. “She said, ‘Either you get help, or I’m leaving with the kids.’”
This powerful revelation sheds light on a time when Monty, overwhelmed by the failure of his business and its aftermath, was at rock bottom. After the 1987 stock market crash, Monty and Sarah’s business went under, and they lost everything, forcing them to sell their home and survive on jobseekers allowance.
“I was in a very dark place,” Monty admitted. But Sarah’s ultimatum was a wake-up call. In his own words, he described how her words, “I’m not leaving you, but we can’t go on like this,” were a turning point.
He sought professional help and was prescribed Prozac, which he credits with helping him recover. “I felt like I was on holiday in a seaside town,” Monty said, remembering the first signs of improvement after months of battling his inner demons. “It made me see light again.”
But it wasn’t just medication that helped Monty regain his footing—it was also his newfound fame. When the BBC offered him “Around the World in 80 Gardens” nearly two decades ago, he found himself traveling the globe, with Sarah often taking time off to support him during the filming. Monty admits that “fame really suited me,” as the positive feedback and applause filled a void he didn’t realize he had.
Despite the emotional toll Monty has faced, his story is one of resilience. From surviving cancer at 10 to battling depression in his adult years, his strength and determination to rebuild his life remain unwavering. Monty’s journey serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there’s always hope for a new chapter.
