Stephen Hendry, who turned professional at the tender age of 16 in 1985, quickly rose to become one of snooker’s most thrilling stars.
The Scot clinched his first Snooker World Championship just five years later, becoming the youngest-ever winner at 21 years and 106 days – a record he still holds.
From April 1990 to May 1998, he dominated the world rankings, amassing seven world titles throughout his career. Hendry also triumphed at The Masters, securing six titles at the esteemed tournament – including five consecutive wins from 1989 to 1993 – as well as five UK Championships, cementing his status as one of the sport’s legends.
Despite retiring for the second time in June 2024, the now 56 year old remains deeply involved in the game as a pundit, reports the Mirror.
BBC’s coverage of the 2025 Masters featured Hendry providing insightful analysis alongside Steve Davis, John Parrott, Ken Doherty and Dennis Taylor.
But what about Hendry’s personal life? Here, we delve into it…
What is Stephen Hendry’s net worth?
Thanks to an illustrious career in snooker, Hendry reportedly has a net worth of around £13.5million. The snooker legend boasts 36 ranking tournament victories from 57 finals, including four European Masters and British Opens each.
Snooker legend Stephen Hendry has chalked up an impressive record, reaching 65 finals and clinching 40 victories, with his latest triumph being a narrow 1-0 win over Jimmy White in the 2023 Seniors 900.
His prowess extends beyond individual accolades, having won team tournaments including a World Doubles Championship and a World Masters Men’s Doubles with Mike Hallett, as well as representing Scotland in a World Cup and Nations Cup, and Europe in the Euro-Asia Team Challenge.
Recognised for his snooker supremacy, Hendry was honoured with an MBE in 1994 and twice named BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year in 1987 and 1996.
Who is Stephen Hendry’s girlfriend?
Hendry first crossed paths with Amanda Tart at Pontins when he was just a teenager, marrying her in 1995 and fathering two sons, Blaine and Carter.
The marriage ended in divorce after 19 years, and Hendry found love again with children’s entertainer and actress Lauren Thundow.
In his autobiography “Me and The Table,” Hendry recalls: “I first met Lauren when she was selling merchandise after a Legends snooker exhibition. She’s attractive and we smile at each other but I think nothing of it.
“Gradually, we start to say, ‘Hi’, and share a bit of small talk. I would never be one to go striding over to any woman who caught my eye – after all, I’m the person who got to know my wife’s parents before I plucked up the courage to talk to her. As time goes on, we chat more often. It’s becoming clear we have a connection.”
Hendry opened up about the moment he confessed to his wife Amanda that their marriage was over, recounting: “Driving back from a shopping trip, my wife Mandy asks me what’s wrong. She assumes it’s money-related. I tell her it isn’t. Then she tells me to stop the car, saying that we’re not going an inch further until I tell her what’s going on.
“So I do. I tell her that I have feelings for someone else. She is shocked and devastated.”
At the time they first met, Thundow was 26 and Hendry was 45, marking a significant age gap of 19 years. The current relationship status of the pair remains under wraps as both are private about their personal lives.
Are Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan friends?
Despite their intense rivalry in snooker, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share a friendly rapport. Hendry’s impressive tally of seven world titles remained a benchmark in the modern era until O’Sullivan matched it in 2022.
When asked last year how he’d feel if O’Sullivan were to surpass his record with an eighth title, Hendry told Andy Goldstein: “No, listen, I’m not going to lie. I won’t be happy if he does it. But he’s an unbelievable player and he’s taken the game to new levels. In a way, it will take the pressure off, I won’t get asked anymore.”
Speaking on Ali Carter’s Cue Tips YouTube channel, Stephen Hendry shared some insight into Ronnie O’Sullivan’s private nature, noting: “He’s not the easiest person. Down the years I’ve known him, sometimes I go months without really speaking to him and other times I spend a lot of time with him.”
Hendry continued: “I don’t know if it’s deliberate or not but he doesn’t have many close friends, I don’t think. He doesn’t really socialise much with other players.”
O’Sullivan himself did express his admiration for Hendry in a Metro interview this year, though, saying: “I love it [snooker] so much, I am grateful for what it has done for me, it has given me an amazing life with amazing moments. I have been the most successful player, along with Stephen Hendry.”
He added: “He was my hero and I am happy to share the seven world titles with him. But I am up there, and I have to pinch myself. As a kid I used to rush home from school to watch World Championships. There was Joe Johnson and I went to see Steve Davis when I was 14 beat John Parrott in the final session. And now I am here playing.”
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