Stephen Hendry's £13.5m fortune, 19-year age-gap romance, and the 'devastated' ex-wife he left behind

Key facts

• Stephen Hendry became the youngest-ever World Snooker Champion at 21 years and 106 days.
• He held the world number one ranking from April 1990 to May 1998.
• Hendry won six Masters titles, including five consecutive from 1989 to 1993.
• He has an estimated net worth of £13.5 million.
• Hendry won 36 ranking tournaments out of 57 finals.
• His marriage to Amanda Tart ended in 2014 after he confessed feelings for Lauren Thundow.
• Hendry and Thundow have a 19-year age gap.

A record-breaking career that reshaped snooker

Stephen Hendry, the Scottish snooker legend who dominated the sport for nearly a decade, remains a towering figure in the game. At 21 years and 106 days, he became the youngest-ever World Snooker Champion, a record that still stands. His reign at the top was absolute: he held the world number one ranking for eight consecutive years, from April 1990 to May 1998. Hendry's trophy cabinet includes seven World Championship titles, six Masters crowns—including an unprecedented five in a row from 1989 to 1993—and five UK Championship titles. Across his career, he reached 57 ranking tournament finals, winning 36 of them. His last competitive victory came in 2023, a 1-0 win over Jimmy White in the Seniors 900 competition. After initially retiring in 2012, Hendry made a brief comeback before stepping away for good in 2024. He now works as a pundit for the BBC, offering analysis during major snooker events.

From the baize to the BBC studio

Since hanging up his cue, Hendry has reinvented himself as a television personality. His insights, drawn from decades at the pinnacle of the sport, have made him a familiar face on BBC coverage of snooker tournaments. The transition from player to pundit has been seamless, allowing him to remain at the heart of the game he once ruled. His financial success mirrors his sporting achievements. With an estimated net worth of £13.5 million, Hendry has leveraged his career earnings and ongoing media work into a substantial fortune. The bulk of his wealth stems from prize money, endorsements, and his continued involvement in snooker-related circles.

A personal life laid bare

Hendry's private life has drawn as much attention as his public triumphs. In 1995, he married Amanda Tart, with whom he had two sons, Blaine and Carter. The marriage lasted nearly two decades, but in 2014, Hendry told Tart he had fallen in love with another woman. In his autobiography, he described the moment he broke the news, recounting the shock and devastation his wife felt. The other woman was Lauren Thundow, a children's entertainer and actress whom Hendry had met at a snooker event more than a decade earlier. Their relationship, which features a 19-year age gap, began with small talk and mutual attraction before deepening into romance. The current status of their relationship is unclear.

The aftermath of a high-profile split

The breakdown of Hendry's marriage led to a substantial financial settlement. Reports indicate that he was sent a huge bill following the divorce, though the exact amount has not been disclosed. The split marked the end of a union that had been a cornerstone of his personal life during his peak years. Tart, who had supported Hendry through his career, was left to rebuild her life after the revelation. The couple's two sons, now adults, have largely stayed out of the public eye. Hendry has spoken candidly about the pain his confession caused, acknowledging the devastation it brought to his family.

A legacy that transcends the table

As the World Snooker Championship reaches its finale in Sheffield, Hendry's presence is felt both in the commentary box and in the record books. His achievements—the youngest champion, the longest reign at number one, the haul of major titles—set a benchmark that few have approached. Yet his story is also one of reinvention, from player to pundit, and of personal upheaval that played out in the public eye. Hendry's net worth, his new relationship, and the fallout from his divorce ensure that he remains a subject of fascination. For snooker fans, he is a reminder of an era of dominance; for a wider audience, he is a figure whose life off the table has been as eventful as his career on it.

The bottom line

• Stephen Hendry is a seven-time world snooker champion and the youngest ever to win the title, at 21 years and 106 days.
• He held the world number one ranking for eight consecutive years and won 36 ranking tournaments.
• After retiring in 2024, he became a BBC pundit and has an estimated net worth of £13.5 million.
• His 2014 divorce from Amanda Tart followed his confession of feelings for Lauren Thundow, who is 19 years his junior.
• Hendry's personal life, including the age-gap relationship and the financial settlement, continues to attract public interest.
• His legacy as a player and his ongoing role in snooker keep him at the center of the sport's conversation.