Monty Don has opened up about his personal battle with depression and how it affected both his marriage and his career. In a revealing conversation with Gyles Brandreth on The Rosebud Podcast, the 70-year-old gardening expert discussed how his struggles with mental health became so severe that his wife, Sarah Erskine, threatened to leave him.
Don, who married Sarah in 1983, shared that his battle with depression started after the collapse of his jewellery business. “I was angry, difficult, and not someone you want to live with,” he admitted. “Sarah came to me one day and said, ‘Look, either you move out or I’m taking the children and moving out. I’m with you, I love you, but we can’t go on living with you like this.’”
This intervention marked a turning point in Monty’s life, leading him to seek medical help. He was prescribed Prozac, which he credits with helping him “see light again.” He shared how, just ten days after starting the medication, he began to notice a change: “I was washing up and suddenly noticed how beautiful the light was on the leaves. I didn’t feel sad anymore, I felt okay.”
Monty’s depression followed the failure of his jewellery business in the 1980s, which led to a near bankruptcy after the stock market crash of 1987. The failure caused Monty and Sarah to sell their properties and left Monty reliant on Jobseeker’s Allowance. In the wake of these financial struggles, Monty fell into a deep depression, which he described as “shameful.”
During his conversation with Gyles, Monty reflected on the difficult journey he faced. “I’ve had therapy, which helped, but the most transformative moment came when I was prescribed Prozac. For the first time in ages, I felt like I could breathe again,” he said. He added that the medication worked wonders for about a year before he became unsure whether it was still making a difference. “After a while, I couldn’t tell if the Prozac was still working or if I was just feeling normal.”
The gardening star also revealed that fame played a significant role in his recovery. He explained how a television offer from the BBC to host Around the World in 80 Gardens allowed him to travel to places like Australia, South America, and India, which helped lift his spirits. Sarah, who noticed his improved mood, said, “Fame really suits you.” Monty admitted that there was some truth to this observation. “Being applauded on stage, being around people who appreciate your work, really did wonders for my health.”
Monty also touched on his battle with cancer as a child, when he was diagnosed with marrow cancer at the age of 10. He recalled how doctors removed bone tissue from his elbow to treat the tumor and how he felt supported by his mother throughout his treatment. “I loved the radiotherapy because it meant I got to spend the day with my mum,” he said. “It was a rare time for me to have her to myself.”
Through all the challenges he faced—both mental and physical—Monty has found strength in his family and his work, and he credits both for helping him through some of the darkest times in his life.
