Monty Don has opened up with striking honesty about the darkest chapter of his life — revealing how his battle with depression nearly destroyed his marriage and left him at breaking point.
The 70-year-old gardening icon recalled how the collapse of his jewellery business — once supplying pieces to high-profile clients including Princess Diana — triggered a devastating spiral. Following the 1987 stock market crash, the couple lost almost everything, were forced to sell their home, and found themselves struggling financially as he relied on Jobseeker’s Allowance.
What followed, Monty admitted, was a period he now describes as “shameful,” where he became increasingly withdrawn, angry and difficult to live with.
Speaking on The Rosebud Podcast with Gyles Brandreth, he shared the moment that changed everything — when his wife Sarah Erskine confronted him with an ultimatum that would ultimately save his life.
She told him plainly that things could not continue as they were. She said she loved him and didn’t want to leave, but warned that either he had to move out or she would take their children and go. Monty admitted he hadn’t fully realised how difficult he had become, but hearing those words made him understand the seriousness of the situation. He said the thought of losing his family would have “killed” him — and that was the moment he agreed to seek help.
At first, even that step was hesitant. He joked that he initially went to the doctor complaining about knee pain, only to be gently prompted: “Anything else?”
That conversation led to him being prescribed Prozac — a turning point he still vividly remembers.
Within days, he noticed a shift. Standing at the kitchen sink, he suddenly became aware of how beautiful the light looked on the leaves outside. For the first time in months, he realised he no longer felt consumed by sadness — he simply felt “okay.”
For a period, he described the experience as feeling like being on holiday, with everything lighter and brighter. Though the initial effects faded over time, he remained on the medication for seven years before gradually coming off it under medical guidance.
Monty also reflected on another unexpected factor in his recovery: fame.
He revealed that his wife once told him that being recognised and appreciated seemed to suit him. He admitted there may be truth in that — explaining that the validation, the applause, and the sense of purpose brought by his work helped lift him emotionally. He likened it to “sunshine,” something that warmed him both physically and mentally.
A key moment came nearly two decades ago when the BBC offered him the chance to front Around the World in 80 Gardens. Travelling extensively and immersing himself in meaningful work gave him a renewed sense of engagement and stability — something he says played a crucial role in his long-term recovery.
Beyond his mental health struggles, Monty also revisited a lesser-known chapter of his childhood — his battle with cancer at just ten years old. After a fall at school led to a hospital visit, doctors discovered a tumour in his elbow. He underwent surgery and a year of radiotherapy, a period he recalls with surprising warmth due to the time it allowed him to spend alone with his mother.
Looking back, Monty’s story is one of survival — not just physically, but emotionally. From the brink of losing everything, including his family, to finding purpose, stability and even joy again, his journey reveals the fragile line between collapse and recovery — and the moments that can change everything.
