Is Monty Don Ill in 2025? Health update.

Monty Don has become the calm heartbeat of British gardening—an author, broadcaster, and the long-time face of BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World. With his gentle voice and practical wisdom, he has inspired millions to reconnect with the soil and find peace in their own backyards. Born on July 8, 1955, Monty turned 70 in 2025. Even today, he continues to write, tour, film, and tend his beloved garden at Longmeadow. Yet behind the serene image lies a man who has faced significant health challenges—both physical and mental—and learned to live with them in ways that have made him more relatable to fans around the world.

Early Struggles and Mental Health Battles

Monty has been strikingly open about the darker chapters of his life. In the early 1990s, the jewellery business he co-ran with his wife Sarah collapsed, leaving the family in financial ruin. This devastating loss spiraled into a severe breakdown marked by sleepless nights, hallucinations, and what Monty once described as “great spans of muddy time.” Gardening, he has said, became more than a hobby—it was a lifeline. It provided order, purpose, and light when everything else seemed chaotic.

Monty has long battled depression, and he discovered over time that his condition often follows a seasonal pattern. Winters, in particular, are difficult for him. This recognition led him to suspect Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as a contributing factor.

Practical tools such as light boxes, structured routines, and careful work boundaries became crucial. Monty has also spoken about trying antidepressants and therapy in the past, but what seems to have helped most is a realistic, stigma-free approach: knowing his triggers and treating gardening and sunlight as daily medicine.

Physical Health Setbacks

Mental health was not Monty’s only challenge. In 2007, he faced a terrifying health scare when he was rushed to hospital with acute peritonitis, an abdominal infection that required emergency surgery. He made a remarkable recovery, but the experience was a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change.

In early 2008, another major health issue arose when Monty suffered a minor stroke. It forced him to take a step back from Gardeners’ World, a program he had carried with dedication. Doctors advised rest and recuperation, and Monty listened—stepping away from the show for three years before making his celebrated return in 2011. The incident marked a turning point, reminding him to balance passion with rest.

Over the years, Monty has also spoken of ongoing knee pain, the inevitable result of decades of physical labor in the garden. More recently, he battled COVID-19 twice, once in 2022 and again in 2023. Both episodes kept him down temporarily but did not stop him from bouncing back into his routine.

The 2024 Health Scare

In November 2024, Monty’s fans grew deeply concerned when news broke that he had been rushed to the hospital and placed on drips. He was forced to cancel several tour dates, and social media lit up with anxious messages from viewers worldwide. In a heartfelt video, Monty apologised to fans and explained he needed a short period of rest. Within a week, he was back home, recovering steadily, and soon after, he returned to his commitments. Though the exact cause of his hospitalisation was never revealed, the rapid recovery reassured admirers that he was still resilient at 70.

Managing His Health Today

As of late 2025, Monty Don is stable and active. He continues to manage his long-term battle with depression by acknowledging its seasonal rhythm and prioritising sunlight, warmth, and movement. He remains disciplined with his routine, careful about workload, and open about the importance of rest. His passion for gardening still drives him forward, but it is tempered by an awareness of his limits.

Professionally, Monty shows no sign of slowing down. He continues to present Gardeners’ World, write books, and make public appearances, all while sharing snippets of his daily life with viewers. What stands out most is not just his recovery from past illnesses, but the way he speaks openly about them, offering encouragement to countless fans who may be facing similar struggles.