Jeremy Clarkson: The Man Behind The Wheel

How Much is Jeremy Clarkson Really Worth?

Let’s talk about Jeremy Clarkson, the man who turned car reviews into an international phenomenon. With a net worth of $70 million, this English television presenter, journalist, and writer has built a career that’s as fast-paced as the cars he reviews. He’s best known as the charismatic host of "Top Gear," a show that has captivated audiences worldwide and consistently ranks among the most-watched television programs on the planet.

From Doncaster to Stardom: Clarkson's Early Years

Jeremy Clarkson was born on April 11, 1960, in Doncaster, England. His journey wasn’t exactly a smooth ride. His parents, Shirley and Edward, had the foresight to enroll him in private school, but they faced financial challenges. To fund his education, they turned to an unexpected source: Paddington Bear. After a chance encounter with Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington Bear, the Clarksons secured the global licensing rights for the beloved character. This unexpected windfall allowed them to afford Jeremy’s schooling.

Despite this advantage, Clarkson’s school years were far from easy. At Repton School, he endured bullying and unhappiness, eventually leading to his expulsion. Interestingly, he wasn’t alone in his struggles—fellow students included Andy Wilman, the future Executive Producer of "Top Gear," and Adrian Newey, a Formula One engineer. These early experiences likely shaped Clarkson’s no-nonsense, unapologetic personality that would later define his career.

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A Career in Motion

Before Clarkson became the face of "Top Gear," he cut his teeth in the world of journalism. His first job was working for his parents’ Paddington Bear business, but he soon found his calling in writing. Clarkson began his career as a journalist at various newspapers, including the Rotherham Advertiser, Rochdale Observer, Wolverhampton Express and Star, and Shropshire Star. It was at the Shropshire Star where he discovered his passion for writing about cars.

Starting with humble vehicles like Peugeots and Fiats, Clarkson worked his way up to writing about luxury cars like Range Rovers and Ford Granadas. After years of persistence, he finally got behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Lagonda and, later, a Lamborghini. In 1984, he co-founded the Motoring Press Agency (MPA) with fellow journalist Jonathan Gill, conducting road tests for newspapers and car magazines.

His big break came when he joined the BBC’s "Top Gear" in 1988. Clarkson’s wit, humor, and unfiltered opinions transformed the show into a global sensation, making it the most-watched program on BBC Two. Beyond "Top Gear," Clarkson has written columns for major publications like The Sun, The Sunday Times, and the Toronto Star. He’s also authored numerous books on cars and other subjects.

Clarkson’s career isn’t limited to cars. He hosted the UK version of "Robot Wars" and even launched his own talk show, "Clarkson," which aired from 1998 to 2000. In 2007, he and co-host James May achieved a remarkable feat by driving a car to the North Pole, as documented in "Top Gear: Polar Special."

A Bumpy Road: Clarkson’s Controversies

Even the most successful careers have bumps, and Clarkson’s is no exception. In 2015, he was suspended from "Top Gear" after a physical altercation with producer Oisin Tymon. The incident occurred during a filming location in North Yorkshire, where Clarkson expressed dissatisfaction with the meal options. Tymon ended up in the hospital, and the BBC decided not to renew Clarkson’s contract. This marked the end of an era, but Clarkson didn’t stay out of the spotlight for long.

In April 2015, Clarkson revealed in his Sunday Times column that he had faced a health scare just days before the incident, learning he might have cancer of the tongue. Fortunately, the diagnosis was incorrect. Later that year, Tymon sued Clarkson and the BBC for racial discrimination over the verbal abuse he endured during the incident. Clarkson eventually settled the case for $130,000.

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Life After "Top Gear": The Grand Tour

Clarkson’s post-"Top Gear" career took off in 2015 when Amazon announced a new show, "The Grand Tour," featuring Clarkson alongside former co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May. Premiering in 2016, the series has continued to captivate audiences with its unique blend of humor, adventure, and car reviews. By the end of 2019, the show had completed its fourth season, proving that Clarkson’s charisma and expertise remain as strong as ever.

A Closer Look at His Personal Life

Clarkson’s personal life has been as eventful as his career. In 1989, he married Alex Hall, but the marriage lasted only six months before she left him for a friend. In 1993, he married his manager, Frances Cain, with whom he had three children. However, their marriage ended in 2014 when Cain filed for divorce.

In 2010, Clarkson successfully obtained a privacy injunction to prevent his first wife from publishing claims about their intimate relationship after his second marriage. Outside of his family life, Clarkson is a passionate fan of the progressive rock band Genesis, even attending their 2007 reunion concert and contributing sleeve notes for a reissue of "Selling England by the Pound."

When it comes to cars, Clarkson’s collection is nothing short of impressive. He’s owned a wide range of luxury vehicles, including a Range Rover TDV8 Vogue SE, Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser, Ferrari F355, and Lamborghini Gallardo, among others. Despite his love for high-performance cars, Clarkson has been vocal about his skepticism toward environmental movements, often criticizing groups like Greenpeace and wind farms.

Clarkson’s Financial Success

While Clarkson’s base salary for "Top Gear" was a modest $4 million per year, his true earnings came from owning 30% of the show’s rights. This allowed him to profit from licensing deals, DVD sales, syndication, and merchandise, earning him an additional $7.5 to $13 million annually. In 2013, the BBC purchased all outstanding stakes in "Top Gear," netting Clarkson a cool $21 million.

Clarkson’s Real Estate Adventures

In 2012, Clarkson purchased a stunning five-bedroom cottage on 312 acres in the Cotswolds for $5.5 million. But in true Clarkson style, he decided to blow it up on "The Grand Tour" in 2018. After the dust settled, he had plans to build a six-bedroom, three-story mansion on the property, continuing his tradition of living life on his own terms.