Born in January 1963 in the city of Bristol, England, James May is a TV presenter and a journalist best known for his role in the TV show entitled ‘Top Gear’ that also features Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson. He has also appeared in other TV shows about science and technology, wines, and toys among others.
So, how wealthy is James May? What’s his net worth, as of early 2016? James May is estimated to have a net worth approaching $15 million. Of course he has acquired his wealth thanks to his career as a TV presenter, reportedly paid thousands of dollars to host every show of ‘Top Gear.’ He also writes a column for The Daily Telegraph, in which he discusses the motoring sector.
James May Net Worth $15 Million
James May was born into a family of four children: one brother and two sisters. He joined Caerleon Endowed Junior School located in Newport, and later enrolled at Bowland Collage and Lancaster University, where he studied Engineering. Soon after his graduation, he went to work as a records officer in a hospital located in Chelsea, but his time there was brief. During the early 80s, he worked with The Engineer as a sub-editor, and later moved to Autocar Magazine, where he was fired following a prank he performed. Since then, he has written for numerous publications such as Car Magazine, Top Gear and The Daily Telegraph. All have contributed to his net worth.
In 1998, James May presented a show called ‘Driven,’ which aired on Channel 4. He was then invited to co-host ‘Top Gear’ in 2003 when the show entered its second season. In 2006, he co-hosted ‘London Boat Show,’ which premiered on ITV1. While working as a host in the show, he was nicknamed “Captain Slow” because of his driving style. Although Top Gear was willing to renew his contract in March 2015, James declined in April.
In 2006, James May wrote a book called ‘May on Motor,’ a collection of articles he has published. That same year, he also co-authored ‘OZ and James Wine Adventure,’ a book based on a TV series bearing the same name. He also wrote ‘Long Lane with Turnings’ and ‘Notes from the Hard Shoulder.’ These activities saw him earn a lot of money, increasing his net worth with time.
James May has had tremendous success when it comes to his career as a presenter and journalist. Besides having the opportunity to showcase the latest vehicles by major car manufacturers, newspapers and magazines in the UK have also featured his columns, making him extremely popular. In July 2010, Lancaster University rewarded him an honorary degree.
In his personal life, James May got into a relationship with Sarah Frater, a dance critic, in 2000. Although he lives with her in the district of Hammersmith, West London, they have never married, nor have any kids. His absence in ‘Top Gear,’ continues to be felt. May says that he still loves cars, and will continue to write columns on motors.
I've had this thing nearly a week and nothing has fallen off and everything still works. I mean, who the hell do the Italians think they are, anyway? The Germans?
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When I was a boy and other boys were lying awake wondering how girls worked, I was lying awake thinking about the Triumph TR6. What's wrong with that?
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We are British. We are the inventors of everything. It's time to brace ourselves, hasten unto the shed and liberate ourselves from the abyss made dark by the lights of perverted German science!
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So now we have the world's lairiest car on the start of the world's most gruelling endurance race. At the wheel is the world's most plastered driver...
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I am officially Captain Slow on the program. I can drive quite quickly around the track - I've done it a bit - but I think fast track driving is a little like playing the bagpipes. A gentleman can, but doesn't.
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The reason, I think, that Porsche is the best car is, you know when you drive some cars, you get a sense that the car is smiling, when you're driving.
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France is a country you have to drive through to get to Italy. That's all it's there for.
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If you've got the brochure for the Hyundai Accent on your coffee table, can I implore you, please, not to do it. Buy a Fiesta, buy a second-hand Golf, go on holiday. Don't do it!
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I like luxury. It's the new performance.
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Suffers from fear of heights (Acrophobia).
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Has a degree in music and an incredible wealth of music knowledge. He can play the piano proficiently, although rarely in public.
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Daily driver: BMW i3.
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Fired from Autocar magazine for putting a hidden message into the road test supplement. The message was created using the drop cap at the start of each article. If you read them together, it spelt, "SO YOU THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD, YEAH? YOU SHOULD TRY MAKING THE BLOODY THING UP. IT'S A REAL PAIN IN THE ARSE".
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Born in Bristol but grew up in South Wales and South Yorkshire.
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Favourite snack: Hoola Hoops (beef flavour).
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When asked by Steve Kroft on "60 Minutes" (24 October 2010) about the fastest speed he'd ever driven in a car, May confirmed that he reached a top speed of 259.2 mph behind the wheel of a Bugatti Veyron Super Sports at the Volkswagen Group's test track in Ehra-Lessien, Germany [ep: Top Gear: Episode #9.2 (2007)].
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Fired from "Autocar" magazine after putting in a hidden message in the 1992 "Road Test Year Book" with the first letter in each review. The message read out, "So you think it's really good, yeah? You should try making the bloody thing up; it's a real pain in the arse".
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Along with co-presenter of Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson, became the first person to travel up to the magnetic north pole with a car.
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presenting a new series of Top Gear [September 2004]
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He plays flute, piano and saxophone proficiently.
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He owns several cars including a Bentley T2, Fiat Panda, Jaguar XJS, Mini Cooper, Porsche Boxter S, Porsche 911 and a Range Rover. He also owns a Ferrari 458.
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He is currently training for his light aircraft pilot's license.