Few snooker fans need reminding what Stephen Hendry achieved on the baize – seven world titles, 36 ranking crowns, a decade of near-total dominance. Away from the table, though, the story gets muddier: why did he walk away at 43, leave his wife of 25 years, and what is he actually worth today?
World titles: 7 ·
Triple Crown titles: 18 ·
Ranking titles: 36 ·
Highest break: 147 (11 times) ·
Active years: 1985–2012 (retired); 2020–2024 (seniors tour)
Quick snapshot
- Seven-time world champion (BBC Sport)
- Retired after first-round loss at 2012 Worlds (BBC Sport)
- Divorced Amanda Tart in 2020 amid affair with Lauren Thundow (Yahoo News UK)
- £8.9 m career prize money (BBC Sport)
- Exact net worth: estimates range from £12 m to £15 m (Trendforge)
- Whether John Parrott is richer than Hendry (Parrott estimated £7–10 m) (Yahoo News UK)
- Divorce settlement figure: six‑figure sum widely reported but not confirmed (Wales Online)
- 1985 – turned professional (Wikipedia)
- 2012 – first retirement (BBC Sport)
- 2020 – divorce and seniors return (Yahoo News UK)
- 2024 – second retirement (BBC Sport)
- Continues as BBC/ITV pundit (BBC Sport)
- Lives in London with partner Lauren Thundow (Anglejournal)
- No plans to return to main tour (BBC Sport)
Six key facts about Stephen Hendry, drawn from verified records and media reports.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen Gordon Hendry |
| Born | 13 January 1969, South Queensferry, Scotland |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Turned professional | 1985 |
| Highest ranking | World No. 1 (8 seasons) |
| Centuries | 777 centuries |
Why did Stephen Hendry leave his wife?
Separation timeline
- Hendry married Amanda (née Tart) in 1995 after meeting as teenagers at Pontins (Yahoo News UK).
- By 2014, media reports claimed the couple had divorced, but later reporting suggests the legal separation was finalized in 2020 (Wales Online).
- Hendry’s affair with Lauren Thundow, a younger woman, is widely cited as the trigger (Anglejournal).
The implication: the split was neither sudden nor amicable. The legal costs reportedly reached a six‑figure sum (GB News), and the former family home in Auchterarder sold for around £875,000 in 2021 (Wikipedia).
Alimony and confidentiality agreements
The settlement remains under a confidentiality clause, but the sale of the family home and reported legal fees indicate that Hendry’s net worth took a hit, even if his career earnings were substantial.
While exact alimony figures are unknown, the fact that six‑figure legal fees were reported (Wales Online) suggests the division of assets was contested. Hendry now lives in London with Thundow (Anglejournal).
Why did Stephen Hendry retire so early?
Decline in form
- After winning his seventh world title in 1999, Hendry’s ranking gradually slipped. By 2012 he was outside the top 10 (BBC Sport).
- He lost 13‑2 to Stephen Maguire at the Crucible in the first round – a result he called “embarrassing” (BBC Sport).
Loss of desire
“I’ve not enjoyed practising for two or three years … I’ve just lost a little bit of confidence.”
— Stephen Hendry, 2012 retirement press conference (BBC Sport)
In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, Hendry revealed he had already resolved to retire and take on an ambassador role for 8‑ball pool in China (The Guardian).
Crucible retirement announcement (2012)
- Hendry announced his decision immediately after the Maguire match, aged 43 (BBC Sport).
- He said the decision had been made three months earlier, citing poor form and lack of enjoyment in practice (BBC Sport).
The pattern: Hendry’s retirement wasn’t about age – it was about a psychological disconnect from the game. He simply didn’t want to grind anymore.
How rich is Stephen Hendry?
Estimated net worth
- Multiple 2025–2026 media reports estimate Hendry’s net worth at £12 million to £15 million (Trendforge; Anglejournal).
- A 2025 Yahoo News UK article put the figure at approximately £13.5 million (Yahoo News UK).
None of these figures are confirmed by Hendry or his representatives. They are estimates based on prize money, endorsements, exhibitions, and punditry fees.
Career prize money
- Official prize money from tournaments totals £8.9 million (BBC Sport).
- Exhibition income and sponsorship deals significantly increase that total, though exact amounts are private.
Business ventures
- Hendry has a property portfolio and works as a commentator for BBC and ITV (BBC Sport).
- He also had an ambassadorial role for 8‑ball pool in China (The Guardian).
What this means: even after a costly divorce and legal fees, Hendry remains a multi‑millionaire, but he is not in the same wealth tier as some younger sports stars or even Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Who is the richest snooker player of all time?
Top earners: Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis
- Ronnie O’Sullivan leads with over £12 million in prize money alone, plus significant endorsements (BBC Sport).
- Hendry, Steve Davis, and John Higgins are also multi‑millionaires, though their off‑table earnings vary widely.
- Jimmy White is estimated at around £4 million (Yahoo News UK).
“Ronnie is the greatest we’ve ever seen … his commercial value is off the scale.”
— Shaun Murphy, quoted in BBC Sport
The trade‑off: O’Sullivan’s longevity and charisma have made him the richest, but Hendry’s sustained dominance in the 1990s built a fortune that still comfortably makes him a millionaire.
What is Stephen Hendry’s life like now?
Commentary career
- Hendry is a regular pundit and commentator for BBC and ITV during major events (BBC Sport).
- He is widely praised for his analytical insights.
Seniors snooker
- Hendry returned to competition on the Seniors Tour from 2020 to 2024, winning several events (BBC Sport).
- He announced his final retirement from all tournament play in 2024.
Relationship with Lauren Thundow
- Hendry has been in a long‑term relationship with Lauren Thundow since his divorce (Anglejournal).
- The couple lives together in London, and Hendry maintains regular contact with his two sons, Blaine and Carter (Yahoo News UK).
The implication: Hendry has successfully transitioned from player to media personality, and his personal life appears settled after the turbulence of the divorce.
Timeline
- 1985 – Turned professional aged 16.
- 1990 – First world championship title.
- 1991 – Married Amanda Tart.
- 1999 – Seventh and final world title.
- 2012 – Retired from professional snooker.
- 2020 – Divorced Amanda; began relationship with Lauren Thundow; returned to seniors tour.
- 2024 – Retired from seniors snooker.
Sources: BBC Sport, Wikipedia, Yahoo News UK
The pattern: Hendry’s career is neatly divided into two acts – the unstoppable champion of the 1990s and the reflective post‑2012 personality who found a second life in media and seniors snooker.
What’s confirmed and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Seven‑time world champion
- Retired in 2012 after first‑round Crucible loss
- Divorced Amanda Tart in 2020
- Had an affair with Lauren Thundow
- Career prize money of £8.9 m
- Height: 6 ft 0 in
- Two sons: Blaine and Carter
What remains unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates £10 m–£15 m)
- Whether John Parrott is richer than Hendry
- Divorce settlement amount (reported as six‑figure sum)
- Hendry’s current relationship status with Thundow (long‑term but not publicly confirmed marriage)
The catch: most of the uncertainty revolves around money and personal life details that Hendry has kept private. The career facts are well‑documented.
Summary
Stephen Hendry’s story is one of extraordinary athletic achievement followed by a complex personal and professional transition. The divorce was real, the retirement was emotionally driven, and while he remains comfortably off – estimated at £12–15 m – he is not the richest in the sport. For any snooker enthusiast, the lesson is clear: Hendry’s legacy is defined by his titles, not his bank account or his marriage.
Frequently asked questions
What is Stephen Hendry’s net worth?
Estimates range from £12 million to £15 million, based on prize money, endorsements, and media work. Official figures are not public.
Is Stephen Hendry married?
No. He was married to Amanda Tart from 1995 to 2020. He is now in a relationship with Lauren Thundow.
Did Stephen Hendry have an affair?
Yes. His relationship with Lauren Thundow began while he was still married to Amanda Tart, and it was cited as a reason for the divorce.
Why did Stephen Hendry stop playing snooker?
He retired in 2012 because he lost enjoyment in practice and felt he could no longer compete at his best.
How tall is Stephen Hendry?
He is 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m).
Who is Stephen Hendry’s current partner?
Lauren Thundow, his long‑term partner since the divorce.
How many world titles has Stephen Hendry won?
Seven (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999).
Is Stephen Hendry still playing snooker?
He retired from the Seniors Tour in 2024 and no longer competes in any professional events. He works as a commentator.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.