As the snooker world gears up for the dramatic climax of The Masters final, attention often turns not just to the current titans of the baize, but to the enduring figures who shaped the sport. Among them is seven-time World Champion Stephen Hendry, whose dominance on the green felt is matched only by the public scrutiny of his personal life.
Hendry, 57, a five-time consecutive winner of the prestigious Masters between 1989 and 1993, remains a prominent voice in snooker media. However, his career off the table has been punctuated by significant personal upheaval, most notably his divorce from his wife of nearly two decades, Mandy, over ten years ago.
The Six-Figure Fallout of a Marriage Ending
The legendary Scot detailed the painful process of his separation in his 2018 autobiography, Me and the Table. The decision to end his marriage came after Hendry fell for Lauren Thundow, an actress and children’s performer who is two decades his junior. The transition was fraught with emotional and financial consequences.
Hendry candidly revealed the scale of the financial burden incurred during the separation. “The three years between my leaving and the divorce itself are the most stressful of my life,” he wrote. “The legal bill from the divorce comes to a hefty six-figure sum. Mandy will continue to live in the house in Scotland with the boys.”
This massive financial settlement underscores the complexity of dissolving a long-term relationship, particularly for a high-profile athlete whose career success often brings significant assets into the equation.
The Moment of Confession
The catalyst for the breakdown of his marriage was the emergence of feelings for another woman. Hendry recounted the difficult moment he confessed this to Mandy. He described an ordinary shopping trip that took a dramatic turn.
“People talk about mid-life crisis. But I met someone else and it knocked me for six,” Hendry explained. When his wife sensed something was wrong, he was compelled to tell the truth. “I tell her that I have feelings for someone else. She is shocked and devastated.”
Hendry noted that his wife understood his general lack of interest in affairs, making his confession even more jarring for her. Following the revelation, the couple attempted to reconcile, with Hendry moving out temporarily while they sought to repair their bond. He admitted to being “riddled with guilt” but simultaneously struggling with his new romantic feelings.
The Genesis of a New Relationship
Hendry’s relationship with Lauren Thundow began subtly within the snooker circuit. He first encountered her while she was working on merchandise sales at a Legends exhibition event. What started as simple smiles and small talk gradually developed into something deeper.
“Gradually, we start to say, ‘hi’ and share a bit of small talk,” he recalled. Hendry, who admitted to being naturally reserved—even taking time to meet his future in-laws before speaking to his wife—found himself connecting with Lauren over several events. As they traveled with the same support staff for the Legends tours, their friendship blossomed into an undeniable romantic connection.
“After a while we realise we’re falling in love. That’s very unsettling,” Hendry reflected on the turmoil of loving someone else while married to the mother of his two children, Blaine and Carter, for almost three decades.
Telling the Children: The Hardest Part
While Hendry maintained he never wished to hurt Mandy, the reality of his feelings led to an inevitable parting. A planned family holiday to Portugal in 2013 was intended to mend fences, but the foundational issue remained unresolved, leading to the decision to separate.
The most challenging aspect, according to the snooker icon, was breaking the news to his sons. “This is the hardest thing I have ever done and will probably ever have to do,” he stated. He explained the contrasting reactions: Carter became visibly upset, while Blaine retreated into silence, mirroring Hendry’s own reaction when his parents split.
Despite the painful beginnings, Hendry and Thundow have now been together for nearly 12 years, forging a life together while Hendry continues his successful career as a media personality and commentator within the sport that made him famous. The story serves as a stark reminder that behind the polished veneer of sporting celebrity, personal lives often unfold with significant drama, cost, and consequence.