Monty Don

George Montagu Don was born on July 8, 1955, in Iserlohn, West Germany, the youngest of five children. His early life involved schooling in England, including Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he studied English. During these formative years, Don developed a strong interest in gardening and farming. In 1981, Monty and his wife, Sarah Erskine, established “Monty Don Jewellery,” a London-based costume jewelry business. The company experienced significant success, with retail presence in prominent stores like Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Liberty. Their clientele included notable figures such as Boy George, Michael Jackson, and Princess Diana. However, the 1987 stock market crash severely impacted their business, leading to near bankruptcy and the loss of their home and assets. This challenging period marked a turning point, prompting Don to shift his career focus towards writing and broadcasting.

Don’s television career began in 1989 with a gardening segment on ITV’s “This Morning,” earning him £100 per show. This initial exposure led to further opportunities, including presenting roles on BBC Television’s “Holiday” and “Tomorrow’s World.” Between 1999 and 2003, he hosted several gardening series for Channel 4, such as “Fork to Fork,” “Real Gardens,” “Lost Gardens,” and “Don Roaming.” A significant milestone occurred in 2003 when Don took over from Alan Titchmarsh as the lead presenter of BBC’s iconic “Gardeners’ World.” He continued in this role until 2008, when he temporarily stepped down for health reasons, returning in 2011 to present from his own garden, Longmeadow, in Ivington, Herefordshire. His segments often featured his dogs, Nigel and Nell, who became popular with viewers. Since 2014, Don has also been the lead presenter for the BBC’s coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show, designing his first RHS Chelsea garden in 2025, which will be accessible for dogs.

Beyond his television work, Monty Don has established himself as a prolific writer. He published his first book, “The Prickotty Bush,” in 1990, detailing the creation and eventual loss of his garden at The Hanburies. From 1994 to 2006, he wrote a weekly gardening column for “The Observer,” which he described as transformative for his career. Don has authored over 25 books, including “The Complete Gardener,” “The Jewel Garden” (co-authored with Sarah Don), and “Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs.” He is a staunch proponent of organic gardening, a philosophy that is integral to his published works and television series. Don has also presented a range of his own gardening series, exploring gardens around the world, including “Around the World in 80 Gardens” (2008), “Monty Don’s Italian Gardens” (2011), “Monty Don’s Paradise Gardens” (2018), and “Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens” (2024). His contributions to horticulture, broadcasting, and charity were recognized with an OBE in the 2018 Birthday Honours and the Victoria Medal of Honour in 2022. He was also appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire in 2024.