Snooker icon Stephen Hendry, a seven-time world champion, continues to capture public attention not only for his unparalleled achievements on the baize but also for his substantial wealth and personal life. As he prepares to return to screens as a BBC pundit for the UK Championships, a deeper look into his finances and relationships reveals a story as compelling as his sporting career.
The Staggering Fortune of a Snooker Legend
Stephen Hendry has amassed a reported net worth of a whopping £13.5 million. This immense wealth was built upon one of the most dominant careers in snooker history. His legendary status is cemented by his record as the youngest-ever World Champion, a title he claimed at just 21 years and 106 days, a record he still holds today.
His trophy cabinet is a testament to his skill, featuring 36 ranking tournament victories from 57 finals appearances. In total, he contested 65 professional finals, securing 40 wins. His final competitive victory was a 1-0 win over Jimmy White in the 2023 Seniors 900 tournament.
Hendry's reign at the top of the sport was virtually unchallenged; he held the world number one ranking from April 1990 to May 1998. During this period, he also claimed six Masters titles, including five in a row between 1989 and 1993, and five UK Championships. Beyond individual honours, he enjoyed success in team events, winning a World Doubles Championship and a World Masters Men's Doubles title with Mike Hallett, as well as a World Cup and Nations Cup for Scotland.
Life After the Table: A New Partner and a Public Split
Following his initial retirement in 2012 and a subsequent final retirement in 2024, Hendry transitioned into television punditry. His personal life, however, has also been a focus of media interest. He began a relationship with children's entertainer and actress Lauren Thundow after they met at a snooker event over a decade ago.
Their connection sparked despite a significant 19-year age gap; Hendry was 45 and Thundow was 26 at the time. In his autobiography, 'Me and The Table', Hendry recalled their first meetings, noting a gradual build-up of 'small talk' that developed into a clear 'connection'. The current status of their relationship remains publicly unclear.
The End of a Marriage: A 'Devastated' Ex-Wife
Hendry's romance with Thundow began after the breakdown of his marriage to Amanda 'Mandy' Tart. The couple first met at Pontins when Hendry was only 16 years old. They married in 1995 and had two sons together, Blaine and Carter.
Their 19-year marriage ended in divorce in 2014. Hendry has been open about the circumstances, detailing in his book the moment he confessed his feelings for Thundow to his then-wife. He described a car journey where Mandy pressed him to reveal what was wrong, assuming it was a financial matter.
Hendry wrote that he told her he had developed feelings for someone else, leaving her 'shocked and devastated'. He explained that he could not live with the guilt and that his powerful feelings for Lauren were not something that would simply disappear.
From a record-breaking champion to a television analyst, Stephen Hendry's life continues to evolve, marked by significant financial success and complex personal chapters that remain part of his enduring public narrative.
