Stephen Hendry rapidly ascended to become one of snooker's most thrilling talents after he turned professional at the tender age of 16 in 1985. The Scottish player clinched his first just five years later, becoming the youngest-ever champion at 21 years and 106 days - a record he still proudly holds.

From April 1990 to May 1998, he dominated the world rankings, amassing seven world titles throughout his illustrious career. also tasted victory at The Masters, securing six titles at the esteemed tournament, including an impressive five consecutive wins from 1989 to 1993.

His five UK Championships further cement his status as one of the sport's all-time greats. Although he retired for the second time in June 2024, he remains deeply involved in the game as a pundit. BBC's coverage of the 2025 Masters features the now 56-year-old providing insightful analysis alongside fellow snooker legends Steve Davis, John Parrott, Ken Doherty, and Dennis Taylor. But what do we know about Hendry's personal life?

Thanks to his remarkable snooker career, Hendry reportedly boasts a net worth of approximately £13.5million. The snooker icon secured 36 ranking tournament victories from 57 finals during his career, including four European Masters and British Opens each.

Hendry's illustrious career has also yielded an impressive array of non-ranking titles, with 65 finals appearances resulting in 40 victories. His most recent triumph came in the 2023 Seniors 900, where he edged out Jimmy White. Hendry has also excelled in team competitions, claiming a World Doubles Championship and a World Masters Men's Doubles with Mike Hallett, as well as a World Cup and a Nations Cup for Scotland.

Additionally, he won the Euro-Asia Team Challenge as part of Team Europe. Hendry's remarkable achievements in snooker earned him an MBE in 1994, and he was twice named BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year, in 1987 and 1996.

As for his personal life, Hendry met his first wife, Amanda Tart, at Pontins when he was 16. They married in 1995 and had two sons, Blaine and Carter, before divorcing in 2014 after 19 years of marriage. Hendry then began a relationship with children's entertainer and actress Lauren Thundow.

In his autobiography, Me and The Table, Hendry recounts meeting Lauren: "I first met Lauren when she was selling merchandise after a Legends snooker exhibition. She's attractive and we smile at each other but I think nothing of it. Gradually, we start to say, 'Hi', and share a bit of small talk.

"I would never be one to go striding over to any woman who caught my eye after all. I'm the person who got to know my wife's parents before I plucked up the courage to talk to her. As time goes on, we chat more often. It's becoming clear we have a connection."

In a moment of raw honesty, Hendry also recounted the poignant episode when he confessed to his wife that their union coming to an end. He added: "Driving back from a shopping trip, my wife Mandy asks me what's wrong. She assumes it's money-related. I tell her it isn't. Then she tells me to stop the car, saying that we're not going an inch further until I tell her what's going on.

"So I do. I tell her that I have feelings for someone else. She is shocked and devastated." Thundow was 26 and Hendry 45 when they first met, presenting a notable 19-year age gap. Today, the intricacies of their relationship remain fairly unknown as both parties opt to keep their personal lives out of the public eye for the most part.

Question are raised about the nature of the bond between Hendry and fellow snooker legend , considering their past fierce rivalry on the snooker table. Despite battling it out for supremacy in the sport, they share a remarkable friendship off the green baize.

Hendry's celebrated haul of seven world titles, a pinnacle of achievement in the snooker realm since the late '90s, was finally matched by O'Sullivan in 2022. The spectre of O'Sullivan possibly surpassing him has prompted speculation and repeated queries directed at Hendry regarding his potential reaction to such a milestone.

In a candid 2024 interview with Andy Goldstein, Hendry didn't mince words as he expressed his 'true' feelings about the possibility of O'Sullivan equaling his record. He explained: "No, listen, I'm not going to lie. I won't be happy if he does it. But he's an unbelievable player and he's taken the game to new levels. In a way, it will take the pressure off, I won't get asked anymore."

In a separate chat earlier that year with on his Cue Tips YouTube channel, Hendry delved into 'The Rocket's' personal life: "He's not the easiest person. Down the years I've known him, sometimes I go months without really speaking to him and other times I spend a lot of time with him.

"I don't know if it's deliberate or not but he doesn't have many close friends, I don't think. He doesn't really socialise much with other players." Contrastingly, O'Sullivan has vocalised tremendous respect for Hendry, whom he referred to in a 2023 chat with as one of his heroes.

He said: "I love it [snooker] so much, I am grateful for what it has done for me, it has given me an amazing life with amazing moments. I have been the most successful player, along with Stephen Hendry. He was my hero and I am happy to share the seven world titles with him.

"But I am up there, and I have to pinch myself. As a kid I used to rush home from school to watch World Championships. There was Joe Johnson and I went to see Steve Davis when I was 14 beat John Parrott in the final session. And now I am here playing."