James May is a British writer and TV host who is famous for being on a show called “Top Gear” with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond with a net worth of $40 million.
He started on the show in 1999 and was on it again from 2003 to 2015. He has also been on other TV shows like “James May’s Top Toys,” “Oz and James’s Big Wine Adventure,” “James May’s Big Ideas,” and “James May’s Toy Stories.”
May wrote a column for a newspaper called “The Daily Telegraph” and has written over 15 books. Some of his books are about cars and cooking.
In 2016, he started hosting a show called “The Grand Tour” on Amazon and became a director for a company called W. Chump & Sons. He got nominated for a TV award in 2007 and won an award for a film about cars in 2019.
Quick Facts
| Category | Richest Athletes › Race Car Drivers |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $40 Million |
| Birthdate | Jan 16, 1963 (61 years old) |
| Birthplace | Bristol |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.82 m) |
| Profession | Journalist, Presenter, Writer, Author |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
Early Life
James May was born in Bristol, England, on January 16, 1963. He grew up with his mom Kathleen, dad James (who worked as a manager at a factory that makes aluminum), a brother, and two sisters.
James went to Caerleon Endowed Junior School in Newport and Oakwood Comprehensive School in Rotherham. He sang in the choir at Whiston Parish Church.
Later, he went to Pendle College at Lancaster University to study music. He learned to play the piano and flute there.
After finishing college, he got a job keeping records at a hospital in Chelsea. In 2010, Lancaster University gave him an honorary doctorate.
Writing Career
In the early 1980s, May started working as a sub-editor for “The Engineer” and “Autocar” magazines. He got fired from “Autocar” in 1992 for sneaking a message into the “Road Test Yearbook” supplement.
He’s written for lots of other publications like “Top Gear” magazine and “Car Magazine.” In 2006, he put together a bunch of his articles into a book called “May on Motors.”
That same year, he and Oz Clarke wrote “Oz and James’s Big Wine Adventure.” In 2009, they released another book called “Oz and James Drink to Britain.”
James has written many books based on his TV shows, like “James May’s 20th Century” (2007) and “James May’s Toy Stories” (2009).
Television Career
In ’98, May did “Driven” and co-presented “Top Gear” in ’99. Joined revived “Top Gear” in season 2, did 170+ episodes until leaving in 2015.
Dubbed “Captain Slow,” hit speeds of 253 mph and 259.11. Presented “James May’s Road Trip” (’06-’07), “James May’s 20th Century” (’07), “Inside Killer Sharks” (’07), “James May’s Big Ideas” (’08), “James May on the Moon” & “James May at the Edge of Space” (’09), “James May’s Things You Need to Know” (’11-’12), narrated “To Space & Back” (’13), “James May’s Toy Stories” (’09-’14), including a LEGO house. Co-presented “Oz and James’s Big Wine Adventure” (’06-’07) & “Oz and James Drink to Britain” (’09) with Oz Clarke. Presented “James May’s Cars of the People” (’14-’16) & “James May: The Reassembler” (’16-’17). Hosted “James May: Oh Cook!” and “James May: Our Man in Japan” in 2020.
Read more: Richard Hammond net worth and career earnings
Personal Life
Since 2000, James has lived with art critic Sarah Frater in Hammersmith, West London.
In 2020, they went on a week-long trip to Germany for a liver detox, which he found challenging.
James co-owns The Royal Oak pub in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire. He’s a licensed light aircraft pilot since 2006 and owns various planes.
He’s also a luxury car collector with a range of expensive vehicles. In 2014, he supported Scotland remaining in the U.K. in a letter to “The Guardian.”
Real Estate
In 2015, May paid £770,000 for a 5-bedroom home in Ansty. He also bought a home in Hammersmith in 2000 for £325,000, and he purchased an adjacent semi-derelict property for £310,000 in 2013.
James demolished both homes and began construction on a £3.5 million “superhome” in 2019.