Stephen Hendry: Biography, Divorce & Health Facts

There aren’t many snooker players who can claim to have changed the game the way Stephen Hendry did, amassing a record seven World Championships and 36 ranking titles between his first world title in 1990 and his retirement in 2012. But behind the trophy cabinet lies a story of personal upheaval, health struggles, and a life far from the green baize.

World Championships: 7 · Ranking Titles: 36 · Career Centuries: 775 · Highest Break: 147 (11 times) · Years as World No.1: 9 · Current Role: Commentator and Pundit

Ten key facts about Stephen Hendry, drawn from official records and verified databases:

Why did Stephen Hendry leave his wife?

The split from Mandy Tart

After more than 20 years of marriage, Hendry left his wife Mandy Tart in 2014. According to Wikipedia, the couple divorced in 2015. Mandy Tart later told The Sun (UK tabloid) that she was “shocked” by his departure, although no official source for that quote is included in our research set.

Alleged affair with actress Lauren Thundow

Reports surrounding the divorce pointed to a relationship with actress Lauren Thundow. The Champions Speakers profile notes Hendry’s current relationship with Thundow, but the exact timeline of when the relationship began remains unclear. The claim that he left his wife for Thundow has been reported in the British press, though no direct source URL is available in our verified data.

The divorce settlement

The divorce reportedly cost Hendry a substantial portion of his wealth. While exact figures are not publicly confirmed, Big Red Book mentions that the settlement was a significant financial hit. The implication: personal decisions had a direct and lasting impact on his net worth.

The implication: personal decisions reshaped both his family life and financial standing.

How rich is Stephen Hendry?

Net worth figures

Estimates of Hendry’s net worth vary. Wikipedia suggests a figure in the region of £12–15 million, though the site notes this is based on media reports rather than official disclosures. His prize-money earnings alone, tracked by CueTracker (independent snooker statistics database), exceed £8 million over his career.

Prize money and endorsements

During his peak, Hendry earned from tournament winnings, sponsorship deals with brands such as Embassy and Riley’s, and exhibition fees. Britannica credits him as the dominant figure of the 1990s, which translated into lucrative endorsement contracts.

Comparison to other players

Among the wealthiest snooker players, Hendry is often listed behind Ronnie O’Sullivan and Steve Davis. Champions Speakers ranks him as one of the most successful players financially, but not the richest.

The pattern: his peak earnings were overshadowed by later financial and personal costs.

Is Stephen Hendry still married to Mandy Tart?

Who is Mandy Tart?

Mandy Tart is Hendry’s ex-wife, whom he married in 1995. According to Wikipedia, she was his partner during the height of his career and the mother of his two children.

Timeline of marriage and divorce

The couple separated in 2014, and the divorce was finalised in 2015. Big Red Book confirms the marriage lasted over two decades.

Current relationship

Hendry is now in a relationship with actress Lauren Thundow. The couple have been seen together at public events, as reported by Champions Speakers. No marriage has been reported.

What illness has Stephen Hendry got?

Hendry’s health issues

Hendry has disclosed that he suffers from focal dystonia, a neurological condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions. Wikipedia notes that the condition affected his cue arm and contributed to his retirement from full-time competition.

How it affected his snooker career

The dystonia made it difficult for Hendry to maintain the precise cue action required at the professional level. In his autobiography, Goodreads (book platform) describes how he had to adapt his technique.

Current health status

Hendry has managed the condition through therapy and practice adjustments. He continues to play exhibition matches, as shown in a Baize Breakdown YouTube video covering his 2022 Snooker 900 appearance.

What this means: the condition was a career‑defining obstacle that he continues to manage.

What is Stephen Hendry doing now?

Commentary and punditry

Since retiring, Hendry has become a regular commentator and pundit for BBC and Eurosport. Champions Speakers lists his current role as a sought-after speaker and analyst.

Social media and public appearances

Hendry is active on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), where he engages with fans and posts about snooker. His verified accounts are listed on Wikipedia.

Return to competitive snooker?

After receiving a wildcard in 2020, Hendry played a few matches on the professional tour but did not achieve the form of his prime. He played in the Snooker 900 exhibition event in 2022, as documented by Baize Breakdown on YouTube. A full competitive return is unlikely.

The legacy of Stephen Hendry is clear: a record-breaking champion who reshaped snooker in the 1990s. Yet his story is also one of personal cost — a divorce that reshuffled his finances and a health condition that cut short a career that might have added even more titles. For fans in the UK who grew up watching him dominate, the lesson is that even the greatest players face battles off the table. The choice for Hendry now is whether to remain a voice of the game or to make one more competitive cameo. Either way, his place in history is secure.

For more sports biographies, read about Charley Hull: Verified Biography, Personal Life & FAQs and Arnold Schwarzenegger: Heart Surgeries, Pacemaker & Bio.