While millions know Monty Don as Britain’s best-known gardening broadcaster, far fewer know the story of Sarah Don—the designer, writer, and creative partner who has shaped much of that journey behind the scenes.
Interest in Sarah Don has grown alongside the continued popularity of BBC gardening programmes and renewed attention on Monty Don’s personal life. Yet unlike many spouses of television personalities, Sarah has consistently avoided the spotlight, allowing her work rather than publicity to define her career.
That discretion has also led to confusion online, with inaccurate biographies and recycled claims circulating across entertainment websites. Looking at verified sources reveals a far more interesting story: Sarah Don is not simply “Monty Don’s wife”—she is a jewellery designer, cookbook author, co-author, and long-time creative collaborator whose influence stretches back more than four decades.
BLUF: Sarah Don is the wife of British horticulturist and broadcaster Monty Don. Married since 1983, she is a trained jeweller, author, designer, and creative collaborator who helped build the couple’s jewellery business before co-authoring The Jewel Garden. Although she maintains a private public profile, verified records show she has played a central role in both Monty Don’s professional and personal life.
Quick Profile: Sarah Don
- Full Name: Sarah Don (née Sarah Erskine)
- Known For: Jewellery designer, author, creative collaborator
- Spouse: Monty Don
- Married: 29 July 1983
- Children: Three (Tom, Freya, and Adam)
- Residence: Herefordshire, England
- Profession: Designer, writer, former jewellery entrepreneur
- Notable Books:
- The Jewel Garden (co-authored with Monty Don)
- The Home Cook
Sarah Don’s Story Started Long Before Television Fame
Long before BBC audiences associated Monty Don with Gardeners’ World, he and Sarah met while studying at Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Their partnership developed through shared creative interests rather than television. Sarah had trained as both a jeweller and architect, bringing strong artistic instincts that would later become the foundation of their first business. Monty has repeatedly acknowledged that Sarah provided much of the creative direction while he handled sales and business development.
That division of responsibilities would define many of their later projects as well.
When Sarah Don Built an International Jewellery Brand
Before either became household names, the couple founded Monty Don Jewellery during the early 1980s.
Although the company carried Monty’s name, Sarah was widely recognised as its principal designer.
Their jewellery attracted international attention and was stocked by prestigious retailers including Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Pieces appeared in fashion publications including Vogue, while high-profile customers reportedly included Princess Diana, Boy George and Michael Jackson.
The business expanded rapidly across numerous international markets.
Then came the financial crash.
The 1987 stock market collapse triggered severe financial problems for the company, ultimately forcing the business into bankruptcy—a devastating experience that both Sarah and Monty have discussed openly in later years.
Rather than ending their careers, however, that setback redirected them toward writing and broadcasting.
A Timeline of Sarah Don’s Career and Family Life
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 1980s | Meets Monty Don while at Cambridge |
| Early 1980s | Helps establish Monty Don Jewellery |
| 29 July 1983 | Marries Monty Don |
| 1987 | Jewellery business affected by stock market crash |
| 1989–1991 | Family relocates to Herefordshire |
| 2003 | Monty becomes lead presenter of Gardeners’ World |
| 2005 | Co-authors The Jewel Garden |
| Later years | Publishes The Home Cook |
How Longmeadow Became More Than a Garden
Today, millions associate Longmeadow, the family’s Herefordshire home, with Monty Don’s television programmes.
Its creation, however, reflects years of shared planning, rebuilding and perseverance after financial hardship.
Their move to Herefordshire followed one of the most difficult periods in their lives. Building Longmeadow required restoring a semi-derelict farmhouse while simultaneously creating what would become one of Britain’s best-known private gardens.
The experience formed the heart of The Jewel Garden, their jointly written memoir.
Rather than functioning solely as a gardening book, it explores depression, bankruptcy, marriage, creativity and recovery through the shared lens of landscape and home.
“The Jewel Garden” is as much a memoir of rebuilding a life as it is a book about gardening.
Sarah Don’s Influence During Monty’s Health Challenges
Monty Don has publicly spoken about several serious health issues, including depression, seasonal affective disorder, peritonitis and a minor stroke in 2008.
Throughout these periods, Sarah remained a constant source of support.
Monty has written that Sarah urged him to seek professional treatment during particularly difficult periods with depression—an intervention he later credited as enormously important in his recovery.
Their openness has helped reduce stigma surrounding mental health, particularly among older audiences.
Sarah Don Is Also an Author in Her Own Right
Although frequently introduced as Monty Don’s wife, Sarah has established her own writing credentials.
Her published works include:
- The Jewel Garden (co-authored)
- The Home Cook
Both books reflect her practical, understated style rather than celebrity memoir conventions.
Unlike many media personalities, Sarah rarely gives interviews or seeks publicity around publication.
That restraint has contributed to her reputation as one of British television’s most private creative figures.
Why Sarah Don Rarely Appears in Public
Unlike spouses who regularly accompany television presenters at media events, Sarah has deliberately maintained a low public profile.
There is no evidence that she has pursued television fame independently.
Instead, her contributions have largely taken place through:
- Design
- Writing
- Editorial collaboration
- Family life
- Garden development
This privacy explains why relatively little verified biographical information exists compared with Monty Don’s extensive public career.
Partnership Rather Than Celebrity Marriage
One recurring theme across interviews and memoirs is that Monty and Sarah have consistently described themselves as collaborators.
Their partnership has included:
- Business ownership
- Garden design
- Book writing
- Raising three children
- Recovering from financial hardship
- Supporting one another through health challenges
Rather than existing separately from Monty’s career, Sarah has helped shape many of its defining chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarah Don
Who is Sarah Don?
Sarah Don is a British jewellery designer, author and creative collaborator. She is married to BBC gardening presenter Monty Don and co-authored The Jewel Garden while also publishing The Home Cook.
Is Sarah Don Monty Don’s first wife?
No. Sarah Don is Monty Don’s wife, and the couple have been married since July 1983.
What did Sarah Don do before writing books?
Sarah Don worked as a jewellery designer and was the principal creative force behind the couple’s successful costume jewellery business during the 1980s before its closure following the 1987 financial crash.
Does Sarah Don appear on Gardeners’ World?
Sarah Don rarely appears on camera. She maintains a private profile despite contributing significantly behind the scenes throughout Monty Don’s career.
How many children do Sarah and Monty Don have?
Sarah and Monty Don have three children: Tom, Freya and Adam.
What book did Sarah Don write with Monty Don?
Sarah Don co-authored The Jewel Garden: A Story of Despair and Redemption, a memoir combining gardening, family history and personal recovery following financial and health challenges.
Why Sarah Don’s Story Matters Beyond Celebrity
Sarah Don’s biography illustrates that many influential public careers are built through long-term partnerships rather than individual achievement alone.
Her work as a designer, entrepreneur and author demonstrates a creative contribution that extends well beyond the description of “Monty Don’s wife.” While she has chosen privacy over publicity, verified records consistently show her involvement in the businesses, books and family life that underpin one of Britain’s most recognisable broadcasting careers.
For readers seeking factual information rather than celebrity speculation, Sarah Don’s story is ultimately one of collaboration, resilience and sustained creative partnership.
Sources & Verification
- Monty Don Official Biography
- Monty Don Official Books Archive
- Monty Don (Wikipedia overview with cited references)
- The Guardian – Interview with Monty Don
- Hachette Australia – Sarah Don Author Page
- Goodreads – The Jewel Garden
Editorial Disclaimer
This article is based on verified public records, published interviews, official biographies and reputable publishers available at the time of writing. Where personal information has not been publicly confirmed by Sarah Don or her representatives, it has been omitted rather than inferred.
