After weeks of speculation and whispered rumours surrounding his split from wifeĀ Mindy Hammond, TV presenterĀ Richard HammondĀ has finally spoken ā not with drama or defensiveness, but with grace, emotion, and quiet strength.
TheĀ Top GearĀ andĀ Grand TourĀ star, 55, had until now chosen to remain silent following the announcement that his 28-year marriage to journalistĀ Amanda āMindyā Hammond, 59, had come to an end earlier this year.
But in a recent interview, Hammond gently addressed the painful end of a love story that had once inspired millions.
āWeāve had nearly three decades filled with memories,ā he said softly. āNow itās time for both of us to move into a new chapter. But family ā no matter how it changes ā will always be family. More than anything, I wish her happiness.ā
š¹Ā Silence Amid Speculation
Since the couple announced their separation in January, the internet has been rife with gossip and unverified claims ā from whispers of an affair to speculation about tension behind the scenes.
Yet Hammond, known for his discretion and composure, has refused to engage in any of the noise. Friends say his decision to stay silent is a deliberate act of respect ā not only for Mindy, but also for their two daughters,Ā IzzyĀ andĀ Willow.
āRichardās always been private when it comes to his personal life,ā a close source revealed. āHeās not the kind of man who airs emotions online or hits back at rumours. His silence says more about his integrity than any statement ever could.ā
The coupleās joint announcement earlier this year struck a remarkably dignified tone, confirming that while their marriage was ending, their bond as a family remained unbroken.
āWe were together this Christmas as a family, and this year weāll still be a family ā just structured a bit differently,ā the message read.
šĀ A Love That Spanned 28 Years
Richard and Mindy married in 2002 after several years together and went on to build a life that seemed, from the outside, like the picture of stability and devotion.
Mindy, a newspaper columnist, was by Richardās side through his most harrowing moment ā the near-fatal 2006Ā Top GearĀ crash that left him with severe brain injuries. In countless interviews, Hammond has credited her unwavering strength for helping him recover, both physically and emotionally.
āShe was my rock,ā he once said. āWhen I woke up in hospital, she was there. When I was learning to walk again, she was there. Everything Iāve done, Iāve done because she believed in me.ā
Over the years, the Hammonds appeared together at events, posed for family photos in Herefordshire, and even co-starred with their children on the Discovery+ seriesĀ Richard Hammondās Workshop, which chronicled his efforts to launch a classic car restoration business.
But behind the smiles, sources close to the family say the pressures of fame, travel, and time apart gradually began to take their toll.
š¬Ā āThis Isnāt About Blame ā Itās About Peaceā
In his new interview, Hammond refused to be drawn into blame or bitterness, instead speaking about acceptance and healing.
āLife changes,ā he said quietly. āYou go through chapters ā some easy, some incredibly hard. But the most important thing is to handle each one with kindness. Thereās no anger. Thereās just understanding.ā
Those who know him best say his words reflect the man behind the public persona ā calm, loyal, and introspective.
āHeās always believed in dignity over drama,ā a formerĀ Top GearĀ producer explained. āHe knows people are talking, but heās not feeding it. He wants Mindy to have peace, and heās focusing on his daughters and his work.ā
šļøĀ Moving Forward
Hammond is currently preparing for a new season of his podcastĀ Who We Are NowĀ alongside his daughterĀ Izzy, exploring personal growth and resilience ā themes that clearly resonate more deeply than ever.
He continues to appear onĀ TNT SportsĀ and remains a fan favourite amongĀ Grand TourĀ viewers, who have praised his honesty and humility throughout the recent turbulence.
āHeās human,ā one fan wrote online. āFame doesnāt protect you from heartbreak. But the way heās handling it ā with quiet strength ā makes you respect him even more.ā
šļøĀ āI Wish Her Happinessā
As for the future, Hammond says heās focused on healing, work, and family ā and insists thereās no bitterness, only gratitude.
āWe shared something incredible,ā he reflected. āNearly thirty years of laughter, chaos, and memories that shaped our lives. Iāll always be proud of what we built together. And yes ā more than anyone ā I want her to be happy.ā
Itās a rare kind of honesty ā humble, raw, and free of resentment.
In a world where celebrity breakups often unfold in bitterness and blame,Ā Richard Hammondās quiet graceĀ is a reminder that love doesnāt always end in anger. Sometimes, it simply transforms ā from passion to peace, from togetherness to gratitude.
And as one longtime fan put it beautifully on social media:
āThey may be apart, but their story will always be one of love.ā