Monty Don Illness: Is Monty Don Ill? Does Monty Don Have Cancer?

Monty Don, renowned for his role on "Gardener's World," openly discusses his battles with seasonal affective disorder and other health challenges. His journey to recovery and the support of his wife are highlighted.

by Rubaditsha

Updated Feb 20, 2024

Monty Don Illness: Is Monty Don Ill? Does Monty Don Have Cancer?
Fresherslive

Monty Don Illness

Monty Don, renowned for his role on "Gardener's World," has openly discussed his mental health battles, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD), exacerbated during winter. His wife, Sarah Don, played a crucial role in urging him to seek help when his condition threatened their family stability. Don's journey to recovery has been a constant struggle, marked by his ongoing efforts to manage depression while finding solace in gardening.

Despite enduring physical ailments like cancer and a stroke, Don's passion for horticulture has been a source of resilience. His creation of Longmeadow, his sanctuary, reflects his determination to combat the darkness with nature's nurturing embrace. He acknowledges that healing is a process, emphasizing his fascination with understanding not just gardens but also the people behind them.

In addition to his mental health battles, Don has faced physical challenges, as detailed in his book "The Jewel Garden." As he nears 70, he contemplates stepping back from "Gardener's World" to focus on other creative pursuits like writing and travel. He acknowledges the evolving landscape of television and the importance of diversity in programming.

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Who is Monty Don?

Montagu Denis Wyatt Don OBE VMH, originally named George Montagu Don, is a well-known British horticulturist, broadcaster, and writer. He is most recognized as the primary host of the BBC gardening television series called Gardeners' World.

Don was born in Germany but grew up in England. He attended Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he met his future wife. Together, they operated a successful business selling costume jewelry throughout the 1980s. However, the stock market crash of 1987 resulted in significant financial hardship, almost leading to bankruptcy.

In 1989, Don made his first television appearance as a regular gardening segment contributor on the show This Morning. This opportunity opened doors for him, leading to further television engagements on BBC Television and Channel 4 throughout the 1990s. During this time, he also embarked on his writing career and published his inaugural book in 1990. Over the years, he has authored more than 25 books on various gardening topics. Additionally, between 1994 and 2006, Don wrote a weekly gardening column for The Observer.

In 2003, Don took over as the main presenter of Gardeners' World, succeeding Alan Titchmarsh. He temporarily stepped away from the show between 2008 and 2011 due to health issues. Since then, he has created and produced several garden-related series of his own, with the most recent one being Monty Don's Adriatic Gardens, which aired in 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Csts5GWtm7v/?hl=en

Name

George Montagu Don

Born

8 July 1955 (age 68)

Place of Birth

Iserlohn, West Germany

Nationality

British

Other names

Montagu Denis Wyatt Don

Alma mater

Magdalene College, Cambridge

Occupations

Horticulturist, broadcaster, writer

Television

Gardeners' World

Spouse

Sarah Erskine (1983–present)

Is Monty Don Ill?

Monty Don has faced various health challenges, both physical and mental, throughout his life. He has been candid about his struggles, including battling cancer, experiencing a stroke, and grappling with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression worsened during certain times of the year, particularly in winter. Despite these difficulties, Don has found solace and healing in his passion for gardening and horticulture.

His wife, Sarah Don, has been instrumental in supporting him through these challenges, even pushing him to seek help when his mental health issues began to affect their family life. Don's journey towards recovery has been ongoing, marked by his efforts to manage his mental well-being while continuing his work in the gardening world.

While he has faced physical ailments, such as those detailed in his book "The Jewel Garden," Don continues to persevere, finding comfort and rejuvenation in nature. As he approaches 70, he considers stepping back from his role on "Gardener's World" to focus on other creative endeavors, prioritizing his health and energy for the future.

Does Monty Don have Cancer?

Monty Don has had a history of bone marrow cancer. He was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer as a child, which is considered one of the most common childhood cancers by the American Cancer Society. Monty Don has described himself as a "sickly child" due to his health condition.

Despite his childhood diagnosis, Monty Don has been able to maintain a fairly reliable stream of good health, apart from other health issues such as having his tonsils removed and a recent hospital stay for peritonitis, which is an infection of the inner lining of the stomach. However, he recovered from peritonitis after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix and treat the infection.

Bone marrow cancer, also known as leukemia, occurs when the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells that crowd the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. Some common signs of leukemia in children, as mentioned by the Nemours Foundation, include pale appearance, extreme fatigue, easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding after minor cuts, bone or joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, poor appetite and weight loss, fevers without other symptoms, and abdominal pain.

It's worth noting that most children and teenagers who are treated for leukemia can be cured of the disease. The causes of leukemia in children are often attributed to spontaneous gene mutations rather than being inherited from parents. Treatment for leukemia typically involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplants, depending on the specific case.

Despite his past battle with bone marrow cancer, Monty Don has been able to continue his career as a TV presenter, notably hosting BBC Gardeners' World, and has enjoyed presenting the show from his own garden in Longmeadow, Herefordshire.

Is Monty Don at Chelsea this Year?

There is no information disclosed about Monty Don at Chelsea this year. Monty Don has been a regular presenter at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Monty Don, known as "the Don" of the gardening world, is a beloved figure among millions of people for his calming voice and relaxed demeanor. Recently, he returned to television screens as the presenter of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, captivating viewers who couldn't help but admire the 67-year-old, even calling him an "absolute fitty."

Monty Don, the nation's favorite gardener, has gained an unexpected fan base as an unlikely heartthrob. Despite his inclination to keep his personal life private, the presenter of the popular show "Gardeners' World" has amassed over one million followers on Instagram. But who is the man behind the gardening spade? Here, we delve into Monty's remarkable journey, which involved bankruptcy, depression, and a scandalous affair.

What Did Monty Don Do Before Gardening?

Before embarking on a career in gardening, Monty Don had a diverse range of experiences. He studied English at Magdalene College, Cambridge University. During his time there, he met his wife Sarah, who was married to a postgraduate student at the time. Monty's initial aspirations were focused on becoming a writer, and he pursued this path while working as a gardening expert on ITV's This Morning. Despite being self-taught in gardening, he became a household name during his eight-year stint as a gardening expert on the show.

Monty and his wife Sarah also ran their own successful jewelry business called Monty Don Jewellery, which gained recognition and was stocked in high-end stores such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols. However, the couple faced bankruptcy in 1987 following the Wall Street Crash, which led to the collapse of their business and a challenging period in their lives. Monty's mental health suffered, and he battled depression during this time.

It was through his appearances on This Morning that Monty Don's career in television took off, and he transitioned into becoming a presenter, writer, and host of various gardening programs. His passion for gardening, combined with his engaging personality and expertise, propelled him to become one of the UK's most beloved gardeners and a prominent figure in the gardening world.

How Many Dogs has Monty Don Got?

Monty Don, along with his wife Sarah, has two pets: Nell, a golden retriever, and Patti, a Yorkshire Terrier. Monty frequently shares pictures of his dogs on social media, often showing them accompanying him during his gardening activities around the house. One of his beloved dogs, Nigel, a golden retriever, used to make regular appearances on Gardeners' World. However, Nigel sadly passed away in 2020.

After Nigel's passing, Monty Don introduced a new dog named Ned to his family. On October 7, 2022, Monty announced that Ned would be making his first appearance on Gardeners' World, taking Nigel's place. In a playful manner, Monty jokingly mentioned that he hadn't informed Nellie or Pattie about Ned's arrival and that it remained to be seen whether the three dogs would become best friends.

Monty Don expressed his sadness over Nigel's loss and shared the process of choosing Ned as the new addition to their family. He explained that Ned would join them in the following week. Ned made his debut on the Friday night episode of Gardeners' World, capturing the hearts of viewers with his undeniable charm.

Monty Don has a deep affection for dogs and acknowledges their special place in his life. He often shares his love for them on his website, emphasizing that wherever he is in the garden, it feels natural for him to be accompanied by one or two dogs. Monty considers the garden to be just as much the dogs' space as it is his own and his family's. He appreciates that his dogs generally do not cause any damage and respect the garden. Although they may occasionally treat the paths as running lanes while chasing a ball, it is harmless and adds to the joyful atmosphere.

Monty Don Jewellery

It seems that there is a surprising link between Princess Diana and Monty Don, the presenter of BBC's Gardener's World. Before becoming a renowned gardening expert, Monty Don had various careers, one of which led him to Princess Diana.

In the 1980s, Monty and his wife, Sarah, operated a shop in Knightsbridge where they sold costume jewelry. Interestingly, one of their customers happened to be Princess Diana herself. This interaction occurred long before Monty ventured into the world of gardening. Princess Diana, known for her influential style, was particularly fond of the large designs of the jewelry sold by Monty and was reported to own the pearl drop versions of the earrings. These earrings consisted of a round pearl stud, a bow, and a teardrop pearl dangling beneath.

Although Monty Don's fabulous 80s earrings occasionally appear on eBay, it is likely that Princess Diana kept her earrings in her private collection, which may have been passed down to her sons after her death. The jewelry sold by Monty Don was also loved by other notable figures such as the late singer Michael Jackson and Boy George. In fact, a pair of these earrings made it into the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

It's worth mentioning that while the information provided highlights the connection between Monty Don and Princess Diana through their association with jewelry, it does not indicate any direct involvement in each other's professional careers.

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Monty Don Illness:FAQs

1. Does Monty Don have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?  

Yes, Monty Don has openly discussed his struggles with seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression exacerbated during winter months.

2. How has Sarah Don supported Monty Don through his mental health battles?

Sarah Don played a crucial role in urging Monty to seek help when his condition threatened their family stability.

3. What physical ailments has Monty Don faced?

Monty Don has battled cancer and experienced a stroke, in addition to his mental health challenges.

4. Is Monty Don planning to step back from "Gardener's World"?    

As he approaches 70, Monty Don contemplates stepping back from his role on "Gardener's World" to focus on other creative pursuits.

5. What pets does Monty Don have?  

Monty Don has two pets: Nell, a golden retriever, and Patti, a Yorkshire Terrier, with whom he often shares his gardening activities on social media.