You might know Ant Anstead from his work on Wheeler Dealers or his high-profile relationships, but there’s much more to this English TV personality than meets the eye. From chasing criminals as a police officer to building million-dollar custom cars, Ant’s journey to financial success has been anything but ordinary.
What started as a career in law enforcement has transformed into a multi-million dollar empire spanning television, automotive craftsmanship, and business ventures. Let’s dive into how this Devon-born presenter built his impressive fortune.
What Is Ant Anstead’s Net Worth in 2025?
So, what’s Ant Anstead actually worth these days? Most reliable sources put his net worth at around $5 million as of 2025. That’s not pocket change by any means, though it might surprise some people who’ve followed his celebrity relationships.
Here’s the thing about celebrity net worth figures – they can vary quite a bit depending on who’s doing the counting. Some sources have reported figures as low as $1 million, while others stick closer to the $5 million mark. The difference usually comes down to how you value things like business assets, real estate, and future earning potential.
What we do know is that Ant’s wealth comes from several different streams. His TV work is obviously a big part of it, but he’s also got income from his car building business, book deals, and various other ventures we’ll get into later.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Anthony Richard Anstead – that’s his full name – wasn’t born into money. He came into the world on March 28, 1979, in Plymouth, Devon, to what you’d call a pretty typical working-class family. His childhood was split between Ely in Cambridgeshire and later Hertfordshire, where his family moved when he was about ten.
After finishing up at Richard Hale School and later Haileybury School, Ant did something that might seem crazy by today’s standards. Instead of going to university like most of his peers, he decided to become a police officer. He was just 18 when he joined Hertfordshire Constabulary in 1999.
Now, this wasn’t just any ordinary police job. Ant quickly proved himself as someone you’d want on your side in a tough situation. He worked his way up from Police Constable at Bishop’s Stortford to the Cheshunt station, and by age 23, he’d made it onto the elite Tactical Firearms Team.
The stories from his police days are pretty intense. He earned two commendations for bravery and dealt with some seriously dangerous situations. One of the most notable was spending time in a safe house with John Duffy, the notorious “railway murderer.” Not exactly your typical day at the office.
After six years of this high-stress work, Ant made a decision that would change everything. In 2005, he hung up his police uniform and decided to follow his real passion – working with cars.
Building a Multi-Million Dollar Career in Television
Making the jump from police work to television isn’t exactly a common career path, but Ant managed to pull it off. His secret weapon? An genuine expertise in car restoration that he’d been developing on the side during his police years.
The breakthrough moment came in 2014 when Channel 4 gave him a shot at presenting “For the Love of Cars” alongside British actor Philip Glenister. Suddenly, viewers got to see this guy who really knew his stuff about cars and could explain it in a way that made sense to regular people.
But the real game-changer came three years later. In 2017, Ant landed what many consider the holy grail of automotive TV gigs – co-hosting Wheeler Dealers. Taking over from Edd China was no joke. The guy had a massive following, and fans weren’t exactly thrilled about the change initially.
Wheeler Dealers turned out to be Ant’s golden ticket. The show has been running since 2003 and has racked up over 174 episodes across 15 seasons. With an 8.2/10 rating on IMDb, it’s clearly doing something right. More importantly for Ant’s bank account, it’s distributed internationally, which means steady paychecks and global recognition.
The success didn’t stop there. In 2021, Ant scored another major gig with “Celebrity IOU: Joyride” on Discovery+. This show is particularly interesting because it features A-list celebrities like his now-girlfriend Renée Zellweger, Mary J. Blige, and Octavia Spencer. Working with Hollywood royalty definitely doesn’t hurt when it comes to raising your profile and your asking price.
Ant Anstead’s Business Ventures and Income Sources
Here’s where things get really interesting from a financial perspective. While TV work pays the bills, Ant’s been smart about diversifying his income streams. His custom car building business is actually pretty exclusive – we’re talking about a two-year waiting list for his work.
The guy’s not just good at what he does; he’s record-breaking good. Ant holds nine World Records for his automotive builds, including creating the world’s biggest Airfix auto model. When you’re setting world records, you can charge world-record prices.
One of his biggest business moves was co-founding Radford Motors, which they describe as a “global luxury coachbuilding brand with British heart & soul.” Now, luxury car building can be incredibly profitable when it works, but it’s also risky. Recent reports suggest Radford Motors has hit some financial bumps, which shows that even successful people like Ant aren’t immune to business challenges.
What many people don’t realize is that Ant’s also an accomplished artist. His sculptures and art pieces are displayed in museums and private collections around the world. It’s not his main income source, but it’s another example of how he’s built multiple revenue streams.
Then there are the books. In 2018, he published “Cops and Robbers: The Story of the British Police Car” and “Petrol Head Parenting.” Book royalties might not make you rich overnight, but they provide ongoing passive income. Plus, his TV production company Angel 22 gives him a stake in the content creation side of the business.
How Marriage and Divorce Affected His Wealth
Let’s be honest – Ant’s personal life has had a major impact on his finances, both positively and negatively. His first marriage to Louise Herbert lasted from 2005 to 2017, and they had two kids together, Archie and Amelie. Divorce settlements, especially when children are involved, can definitely take a chunk out of your net worth.
Then came the Christina Haack chapter. When they got married in December 2018, it was like joining financial forces with someone who had serious money. Christina’s net worth is estimated at around $12 million, thanks to her HGTV empire. Together, they bought a stunning $4.1 million home in Newport Beach.
The problem with high-profile marriages is that high-profile divorces tend to follow. When Ant and Christina split in September 2020, after less than two years of marriage, it got complicated fast. That Newport Beach house? Christina ended up listing it for $6 million in 2021, which suggests they did pretty well on the investment, but dividing assets is never fun.
The custody situation with their son Hudson has ongoing financial implications too. Ant initially went for full custody, which led to some pretty public disputes about how Christina was featuring Hudson in her social media content. They eventually worked out a joint custody arrangement in December 2022, but co-parenting across two households isn’t cheap.
Now there’s the Renée Zellweger factor. The Oscar-winning actress is worth an estimated $90 million, which puts Ant’s wealth in perspective. But from what we can see, their relationship seems to be about genuine connection rather than financial considerations.
Ant Anstead Net Worth vs Other TV Personalities
When you start comparing Ant’s $5 million to other people in his world, some interesting patterns emerge. His ex-wife Christina’s $12 million net worth shows just how lucrative the HGTV home renovation space can be. Those shows tend to have bigger audiences and higher advertising rates than automotive content.
Christina’s first husband, Tarek El Moussa, sits at around $10 million. The guy’s been working the HGTV angle for years with “Flip or Flop” and “Flipping 101.” It’s pretty clear that real estate TV pays better than car TV, at least in terms of pure numbers.
But within the automotive TV world, Ant’s doing pretty well. His Wheeler Dealers co-host Mike Brewer has built solid wealth over his 17-year run with the show. The longevity of Wheeler Dealers has been good for both of them.
If you want to see what’s possible in automotive TV, look at Richard Rawlings from “Fast N’ Loud.” The guy’s reportedly worth around $18 million, but he’s also built an entire business empire around Gas Monkey Garage, with merchandise, restaurants, and multiple revenue streams.
The thing about Ant is that he’s relatively new to the big-money TV game compared to some of these other personalities. His diverse background and growing reputation suggest there’s still plenty of room for his net worth to grow.
Real Estate Investments and Lifestyle
Ant’s approach to real estate tells you a lot about his financial philosophy. That Newport Beach house he bought with Christina for $4.1 million was a smart investment – they were able to list it for $6 million just a few years later. Even after the divorce complications, that’s solid appreciation.
After the split, Ant bought his own place in Laguna Beach for around $3.3 million in June 2021. It was a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that he initially thought would be his long-term base. He even told People magazine it was “a special place” when he decided not to sell it in 2022.
But life has a way of changing your plans. By March 2023, Ant had sold the Laguna Beach property for $3.1 million. That’s a bit below his original asking price, which suggests he was more interested in liquidity than maximizing profit. The timing coincides with his relationship with Renée getting more serious, so that might have influenced the decision.
What’s interesting about Ant’s lifestyle is that he seems pretty grounded compared to other celebrities with similar net worth. He’s not flashing expensive cars or living in massive mansions. His spending appears focused on experiences and family time rather than showing off his wealth.
Future Earning Potential and Projects
Looking ahead, Ant’s financial prospects seem pretty solid. “Celebrity IOU: Joyride” has been successful enough that Discovery+ will likely want more seasons. The show’s format – combining celebrities with automotive projects – is exactly the kind of content that streaming platforms are hungry for.
The automotive content space is actually growing, not shrinking. With more streaming platforms looking for niche content that can attract dedicated audiences, someone with Ant’s expertise and screen presence is well-positioned. His production company Angel 22 could potentially develop original content for various platforms.
His relationship with Renée Zellweger has definitely raised his profile outside the automotive world. While their relationship seems genuine, the increased visibility could open doors to mainstream entertainment opportunities that weren’t available before.
Even though Radford Motors has faced challenges, the luxury automotive market still offers opportunities for someone with Ant’s reputation and skills. Whether it’s through new business ventures or partnerships with established brands, his expertise in high-end car building remains valuable.
The bottom line is that Ant has built a solid foundation with multiple income streams and a strong personal brand. His net worth trajectory suggests steady growth potential as he continues to expand his presence in entertainment and business. At 45, he’s got plenty of time to build on what he’s already accomplished.
