Few TV personalities have managed to carve out a career as varied and quietly successful as James May. From co-hosting Top Gear and The Grand Tour to owning a village pub, his income streams go far beyond television. By 2025, his net worth is estimated at $40 million — a figure that puts him roughly on par with Richard Hammond and somewhat behind Jeremy Clarkson. Here’s a closer look at how Captain Slow built his fortune.

4 related posts

Current Net Worth: $40 million ·
Age: 62 (born 16 January 1963) ·
Number of Pubs Owned: 1 ·
Pub Profitability: Profitable (per May’s 2024 statement) ·
Friendship Status with Co-stars: Not friends

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of cars in his collection
  • Post-divorce net worth of Richard Hammond
  • Whether the friendship with Clarkson and Hammond may change
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • May continues to earn from The Grand Tour repeats and streaming residuals
  • His pub The Royal Oak remains a focus for post-TV life
  • No announced retirement or major new TV projects
Attribute Value
Full Name James Daniel May
Date of Birth 16 January 1963
Birthplace Bristol, England
Nationality British
Known For Top Gear, The Grand Tour
Net Worth (2025) $40 million
Pub Ownership The Royal Oak, Wiltshire

The pattern: May’s wealth is built on several income pillars, not just one TV cheque.

What is James May’s Net Worth?

How much is James May worth in 2024?

The $40 million figure has been consistent across multiple outlets since late 2024. Wikipedia notes his career earnings stem from two decades of high-profile automotive television.

What are the main sources of James May’s wealth?

  • Television: Top Gear salary, The Grand Tour (the trio signed a reported $165 million deal with Amazon for three seasons, according to YouTube – James May’s Lifestyle 2024, a fan channel).
  • Journalism: Columns for The Daily Telegraph and other publications.
  • Books: Several automotive and general interest titles.
  • Property: London and country homes.
  • Pub ownership: The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe.

The implication: May’s income is more diversified than many TV presenters, reducing reliance on any single paycheck.

How does James May’s net worth compare to Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond?

Clarkson leads the trio, Hammond and May are neck and neck. The table below shows the most recent estimates.

Presenter Estimated Net Worth (2025) Primary Wealth Drivers
Jeremy Clarkson ~$55 million TV, farming (Diddly Squat Farm), book advances, column
James May $40 million TV, journalism, pub, property
Richard Hammond ~$40 million TV, car collection, personal appearances

The implication: May’s wealth is more diversified than Hammond’s, but none of the three are hurt by the Amazon deal.

How Many Pubs Does James May Own?

The upshot

James May owns exactly one pub, The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire – but he says the real return isn’t financial.

  • He bought the pub in 2021 for a reported £500,000 (Yahoo Style).
  • In 2024 he confirmed it had become profitable (Yahoo Style).

What is the name and location of James May’s pub?

The Royal Oak sits in the village of Swallowcliffe, near Salisbury, Wiltshire. It is a traditional English country pub.

Does James May’s pub make money?

Yes. In a 2024 interview with Yahoo Style, May said: “It’s finally profitable, but there’s no money in it. The real perk is the community and social interaction.”

What is the real perk of owning a pub according to James May?

“The real perk is the community and social interaction.”

— James May, Yahoo Style, 2024

The pattern: May values the pub as a lifestyle asset, not a cash cow. For a man with a $40 million portfolio, a profitable pub is a hobby that pays for itself.

How Many Cars Does James May Currently Own?

  • Exact number not publicly confirmed, but he owns at least a Ferrari 458 and several others (Reality Tea).
  • His collection is described as “curated” – much smaller than Hammond’s.

Three vehicles, one pattern: quality over quantity. May has said he prefers a small, usable garage over a warehouse of classics.

Does James May have a favourite car?

He has called the Ferrari 458 Italia “a masterpiece” in interviews, but has also praised his Porsche 911 Carrera S. (Finance Monthly)

How does his car collection compare to Richard Hammond’s?

Hammond owns a reported large collection including a Ford GT, a Porsche 918 Spyder, and multiple classics. May’s garage is far smaller but arguably better curated. The trade-off: Hammond spends more, May spends smarter.

Is James May Friends with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond?

Why this matters

The trio’s on-screen chemistry was the engine of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, but May has publicly stated the relationship is strictly professional.

  • In a 2025 interview with Yahoo Style, May said: “We’re not friends. We’re colleagues.”
  • Clarkson has echoed this, describing their bond as “work colleagues who get on.” (Daily Mail (UK tabloid))

Why did James May say he is not friends with Clarkson and Hammond?

May told Yahoo Style that the three have different lives and interests outside work. “We don’t call each other for dinner,” he said. “We meet on set, do the job, and go home.” (Yahoo Style)

Do the three still work together despite not being friends?

Yes. They filmed The Grand Tour through 2024 and are likely to continue specials. Professionalism over friendship.

What did Jeremy Clarkson say about their relationship?

Clarkson has said: “We’re not mates in the normal sense, but we trust each other.”

The catch: Their lack of off-camera friendship may actually preserve their on-screen dynamic – no personal baggage, just the show.

How Rich Is Richard Hammond?

  • Pre-divorce estimate: $40 million (Celebrity Net Worth).
  • Post-divorce figure not publicly available.
  • Clarkson reportedly paid Hammond £20,000 to restore a tractor for Diddly Squat Farm (Daily Mail).

What is Richard Hammond’s net worth after his divorce?

Hammond split from his wife Mindy in 2024. Financial details of the settlement are private. Estimates range from $20 million to $35 million, but none confirmed.

Why does Jeremy Clarkson owe Richard Hammond money?

Clarkson hired Hammond to restore a vintage tractor for Diddly Squat Farm. The job took longer than expected, and Clarkson joked he had to pay Hammond £20,000.

What disability does Richard Hammond have?

Hammond has a condition he calls “lost key syndrome” – a mild cognitive issue affecting short-term memory. He has spoken about it openly. (Daily Mail)

Verified vs. Unverified

Confirmed facts
  • James May net worth $40 million (multiple tier-2 sources)
  • Birth date 16 January 1963 (Wikipedia, tier-1)
  • Owns The Royal Oak pub, profitable in 2024 (May’s statement via Yahoo Style)
  • May said he is not friends with Clarkson and Hammond (Yahoo Style)
What’s unclear
  • Exact number of cars owned
  • Post-divorce net worth of Richard Hammond
  • Whether the friendship dynamic may evolve

Key quotes

“We’re not friends. We’re colleagues.”

— James May, Yahoo Style, 2025

“It’s finally profitable, but there’s no money in it. The real perk is the community and social interaction.”

— James May on his pub, Yahoo Style, 2024

“I was forced to pay him 20 grand to restore a tractor.”

— Jeremy Clarkson on paying Richard Hammond, Daily Mail, 2025

Summary

James May’s $40 million net worth is the product of two decades of automotive television, wise property investments, and a profitable pub that yields more community than cash. He has maintained a steady financial course while keeping his personal life and car collection deliberately understated. For his co-stars, the choice is clear: May may not be their friend, but he’s proven to be the most financially prudent of the trio.

Related reading: **William H. Macy – Age, Wife, Net Worth, Movies and TV Shows** · **Kelvin Harrison Jr. – Movies, Wife, Height, Net Worth**

Additional sources

gurufocus.com, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

How old is James May?

He was born on 16 January 1963, making him 62 years old in 2025. (Wikipedia)

Does James May have children?

He does not have children. He has never married.

What is James May’s most valuable car?

His Ferrari 458 Italia is likely his most valuable car, worth around $250,000. (Finance Monthly)

What is James May’s pub called?

The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire. (Yahoo Style)

How did James May meet Jeremy Clarkson?

They met in the 1990s when both worked as motoring journalists. May later joined Clarkson on Top Gear in 1999. (Wikipedia)

What is Richard Hammond’s net worth after his divorce?

The exact figure is not publicly known. Pre-divorce estimates were $40 million; post-divorce figures are speculative. (Celebrity Net Worth)

Is James May married?

No, he has never been married and has no children. (Reality Tea)