Richard Hammond, the beloved *Top Gear* host, has been through significant challenges in both his personal life and career. 

Recently, the 55-year-old star confirmed his split from his wife, Mindy, after 28 years of marriage. 

Insiders claim that the strain from the aftermath of two near-fatal crashes in recent years played a major role in the breakdown of their relationship.

The couple, who married in 2002 and share two daughters, Izzy, 24, and Willow, 22, have always been a public symbol of family life. 

However, their dynamic has drastically changed over the years, particularly after Richard’s two life-altering crashes. 

His eldest daughter, Izzy, recently shared her perspective on how the incidents affected not only her father’s health but the entire family’s life.

The first crash occurred in 2006, when Richard Hammond was filming a *Top Gear* segment in a Vampire Dragster. Traveling at speeds over 200 miles per hour, he lost control, resulting in a horrific crash. Richard was left in a coma and was unrecognizable after the incident. Izzy, speaking on the *Road to Success Podcast*, recalled how the crash left her father in a state of confusion for months. She vividly remembers the challenges their family faced during his recovery, stating, “He was barely a human, he could barely function. He was trying to relearn how to be a human being, let alone be a father figure.”

The trauma from the 2006 crash was extensive. Izzy revealed that the mental toll on Richard was significant, as he was not himself for a long period following the incident. As a result, there were gaps in her memories of him as a father during that time. The Hammond family did their best to maintain normalcy, but the gravity of the situation was inescapable.

In 2017, Richard faced another near-fatal accident. While filming for *The Grand Tour* in Switzerland, his £2million Rimac supercar crashed, burst into flames, and rolled off a hill. The crash left him with a fractured knee but could have easily ended in tragedy. The emotional toll on his family was just as devastating, and Izzy remembers the day of the second crash all too clearly. She was with her mother when they received a call from Andy Wilman, *Top Gear’s* co-creator, who reassured them that Richard was alive but injured. However, it wasn’t until Richard’s co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson called to give a more serious account of the situation that they understood the gravity of the crash.

Despite surviving the crashes, Richard’s health continued to decline. In interviews, he revealed ongoing struggles with his memory, especially his short-term recall, which has worsened over the years. Richard explained that his knee was permanently damaged, and he had to make lifestyle adjustments to avoid further deterioration. The combination of physical and mental challenges has impacted not only his ability to function but his personal relationships as well.

An insider close to the family confirmed that the impact of the crashes on Richard’s mental health was profound, with his behavior becoming increasingly difficult to cope with over time. The source added that his relationship with Mindy suffered as a result, stating that “his relationship with Mindy has been harmed during the fallout.”

For Izzy, the crashes have shaped her understanding of life and cars. Though she has followed in her father’s footsteps and now produces automotive content on YouTube, the crashes have instilled a cautious awareness in her. She admitted that while her love for cars never wavered, she always carries a sense of trepidation, knowing how quickly things can go wrong on the road.

In the aftermath of his second crash and the strain it put on his marriage, Richard’s personal life has changed. His relationship with Mindy came to an end months ago, with both parties agreeing to remain part of each other’s lives despite their separation. In a public statement, Richard shared that their marriage was ending but emphasized the positive memories they shared over their 28 years together.

Richard has since moved to a rented property near his workshop, *Smallest Cog*, where he continues his passion for restoring cars. Mindy, however, reportedly plans to keep their £7million estate, Bollitree Castle, as part of the divorce proceedings.

Though their split has shocked the community, many remember the couple as a close-knit family. As one local resident shared, it’s always sad when a marriage ends, and that no one truly knows what happens behind closed doors. For Richard, the aftermath of his accidents, coupled with the changes in his personal life, has undoubtedly marked the end of an era for the Hammond family.

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