The ultimatum Monty Don's wife issued to save marriage amid 'black depression'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Monty Don of Gardeners' World has had a successful professional career, but it hasn't been without personal struggles. The 68-year-old horticulturist has been open about his battle with depression since his mid-twenties and how his mood dips during the winter months due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

At one point, his 'moods and black depression' became so severe that it severely impacted his marriage and family life. His wife, Sarah Erskine, was forced to give him an ultimatum - she would leave with their three children unless he made a significant lifestyle change.

This warning shaped how he managed his mental health issues and ultimately saved their marriage. Monty and Sarah have been through thick and thin since their marriage in 1983, including a tough phase of bankruptcy in the 1980s after their jewellery business collapsed.

Monty's struggle with depression during this time nearly pushed their relationship to the brink, reports The Mirror. On White Wine Question Time in 2023, Monty opened up about a pivotal moment."Marriage is never a bed of roses," he said. "There was one point where Sarah said to me, 'Look, I just can't take any longer your moods and your black depression, you've got to do something about it because if you don't, I can't live with you I'll take the children and I'll go.