BBC Two's Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don is one of the best known horticulturalists in the country. But surprisingly, before Monty ever ventured into the world of gardening, his previous career couldn't have been more different.
Family and home life Monty and his wife Sarah Erskine tied the knot back in 1983, meaning the couple have celebrated their milestone 40th anniversary together. The pair met at Cambridge University, and went on to have three children together, Adam, Freya and Tom. The trio are now believed to be in their thirties and have had their own children.
Sadly, following the Wall Street financial crash of 1987, the couple lost everything. In their joint 2004 autobiography The Jewel Garden, Monty opened up about their bankruptcy, remarking that they felt "like lambs to the slaughter" when their fortunes changed, left to sell "every stick of furniture" they owned at Leominster Market.
Sarah recalled: "A bad situation got worse every day. The banks wanted their money and started to bounce our cheques whilst simultaneously adding their charges - and interest on them - to the tally. Of course, it could not go on. Something had to give. As it turned out, that something proved to be our shop, our business, our savings, our furniture - and our home."
Top showbiz news The healer told Monty that the best way to find happiness once more would be to find solace in the natural world, a pursuit that has since blossomed into a very fruitful career. Opening up about his mental health struggles during an interview with the BBC, Monty said: "I have for many years, suffered from depression, which comes and goes but tends to be something that is worse in winter. And, touch wood, it's been much better for the last few years.