James May Net Worth

James May, the British television presenter, writer, and car enthusiast, has an estimated net worth of $40 million as of 2025. Best known for co-hosting the popular motoring series Top Gear and The Grand Tour alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, May has built a diverse and successful career across television, publishing, and business.

James May Net Worth: $40 Million
Date of Birth: January 16, 1963
Place of Birth: Bristol, England

Table of Contents

How James May Made His Wealth

Television Career

May’s biggest source of income has been from television. He first joined Top Gear in 1999, then returned in 2003 when the show was relaunched. He became a fan favorite over his 12-year run (2003–2015), appearing in over 170 episodes. Despite being nicknamed “Captain Slow” for his careful driving style, May pushed high-speed limits on the show, once reaching over 253 mph.

In 2016, May reunited with Clarkson and Hammond for Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour, a high-budget car show that further boosted his earnings and global profile. He’s also hosted or appeared in numerous documentaries and series, including:

James May’s Toy Stories
James May: Our Man in Japan
James May: Oh Cook!
James May’s Big Ideas
James May’s Cars of the People
The Reassembler

His work in TV earned him award recognition, including an International Motor Film Award for Motown Funk (2019) and a Royal Television Society nomination for Best Presenter in 2007.

Writing and Publishing

Outside of TV, May has earned significantly from writing. He’s written more than 15 books, including:

May on Motors (2006)
James May’s Car Fever (2009)
James May’s Man Lab (2011)
James May: Oh Cook! (2020)

He’s also been a columnist for The Daily Telegraph and written for magazines like Top Gear and Car Magazine. His writing career began in the early 1980s as a sub-editor for The Engineer and Autocar.

Business Ventures

In 2016, May became a director of W. Chump & Sons, the production company behind The Grand Tour. In 2020, he became half-owner of The Royal Oak, a historic pub in Wiltshire, England. He has also invested in real estate (more below) and owns luxury vehicles and aircraft, adding to his overall wealth.

Early Life

James Daniel May was born on January 16, 1963, in Bristol, England. He was raised in South Yorkshire and studied music at Lancaster University, learning to play the piano and flute. After college, he worked in a hospital as a records officer before transitioning into journalism.

James May Lifestyle, Cars, and Hobbies

May is known for his love of cars and aviation. He owns a pilot’s license and has flown several aircraft, including:

Cessna A185E Skywagon
Luscombe Silvaire
Super Decathlon

His car collection includes luxury and classic models like:

Rolls-Royce Phantom
Ferrari 458 Speciale
1984 Porsche 911
Bentley T2
Saab 9-5 Aero
Alfa Romeo 164
Fiat Panda (surprisingly one of his favorites)

Despite his fame, May often lives a quiet life with long-term partner Sarah Frater, an art critic. The couple resides in Hammersmith, West London, and has been together since 2000.

Real Estate

James May owns multiple properties, including:

A five-bedroom home in Ansty, purchased in 2015 for £770,000.
His main residence in Hammersmith, which he bought in 2000 for £325,000. In 2013, he purchased the adjacent derelict property for £310,000 and later began constructing a £3.5 million “superhome” on the combined land in 2019.

Fun Facts about James May

James was fired from Autocar in 1992 for hiding a cheeky message in an annual supplement.
He once built a full-size house made entirely of LEGO bricks for one of his shows.
In 2014, he signed an open letter supporting Scotland remaining part of the UK.
He once went on a liver detox retreat in Germany but quit after two days due to extreme hunger and headaches.