There’s a reason Rick Stein’s name is almost synonymous with seafood in Britain: for decades, the chef has built a culinary empire from Padstow, but behind the TV screens and cookbooks lies a personal story that’s just as compelling, including a heart condition, a notable age gap in his second marriage, and a reported net worth that puts him among the UK’s wealthiest chefs. Here’s what’s actually known, backed by public records and interviews.

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Full name: Christopher Richard Stein ·
Born: 4 January 1947 ·
Age: 77 years (as of 2024) ·
Known for: Seafood chef, TV presenter, restaurateur ·
Notable restaurant: The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow ·
Net worth (estimate): £20–30 million

Quick snapshot

1Personal Life
2Career Highlights
3Health
4Business Empire
  • Stein’s Group owns 7 restaurants in Padstow (The Sun (UK tabloid))
  • Two hotels (The Sun (UK tabloid))
  • Cookery school (The Sun (UK tabloid))
  • Online shop (The Sun (UK tabloid))

Ten key facts, one pattern: the confirmed details about Rick Stein are drawn from a mix of official records, media interviews, and financial estimates — with some figures more solid than others.

Label Value
Full Name Christopher Richard Stein
Date of Birth 4 January 1947
Age 77 (as of 2024)
Birthplace Churchill, Oxfordshire, England
Occupation Celebrity chef, restaurateur, TV presenter, author
Net Worth £20–30 million (estimated)
Marriages Jill Stein (1978–2007), Sarah Burns (2011–present)
Children Jack, Charlie, Ed
Known For Seafood restaurants in Padstow, Cornwall
Awards CBE (2003), OBE (1997)

What illness does Rick Stein have?

Rick Stein’s atrial fibrillation diagnosis

In a 2015 interview, Rick Stein confirmed he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that can cause irregular heartbeat and increase the risk of stroke. He described the diagnosis as a wake-up call, according to a report in The Sun (UK tabloid). The condition was serious enough that doctors warned him he could die without major surgery.

How Rick Stein managed his heart condition

Stein underwent a catheter ablation procedure to address the arrhythmia, and later, in 2022, he had open heart surgery to repair an aortic valve defect. Reports from znaki.fm (entertainment biography) indicate he made a full recovery and described himself as feeling completely well afterward. The Sun noted that the operation was performed after Stein experienced severe breathlessness.

The upshot

Rick Stein’s heart condition was life-threatening, but he took decisive medical action. The implication for fans: the chef is now reportedly in good health and continues to work and travel.

Bottom line: Rick Stein was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and later needed open heart surgery. He has recovered fully and continues to present TV shows and run his restaurant group.

The pattern: Stein’s health crisis forced a lifestyle reassessment that he has publicly credited with prolonging his career.

Why did Rick Stein leave his wife?

Rick Stein’s first marriage to Jill Stein

Rick Stein married Jill Newstead in 1975, and the couple had three sons together. The marriage lasted 27 years before they separated in 2007. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian (UK newspaper), Stein said the couple had simply grown apart. He did not attribute the split to a single event, but described it as a gradual drifting.

Separation timeline and public statements

Stein has been open about the fact that the divorce was amicable, and he has remained on good terms with Jill. According to The Daily Mirror (UK tabloid), the divorce was finalized in 2007, and Stein soon began a relationship with Sarah Burns, who was working as a publicist on one of his book tours in Australia.

Why this matters

The split from Jill Stein is often the subject of tabloid curiosity, but Stein himself has always framed it as a natural end to a long marriage, not a scandal. The public narrative is driven more by the age gap with his second wife than by any drama.

The implication: the divorce, while notable, reflects a common pattern of long-term marriages ending amicably in later life, not a sudden betrayal.

What was the age gap between Rick Stein and his wife?

Age difference with Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is 23 years younger than Rick Stein, according to multiple sources. This is Money (UK financial news site) described her as “20 years his junior” in a 2009 report, while The Daily Mirror more recently put the gap at around 20 years. The exact figure depends on the year of reporting, but the difference is consistently in the 20–23 year range.

How the couple met

Stein met Sarah Burns while she was working as a publicist on his book tour in Australia. They married in 2011, and she now goes by Sarah Stein. She is also a co-owner of Rick Stein at Bannisters in Mollymook, Australia, according to The Sun.

The trade-off

The age gap raised eyebrows when it became public, but Stein and Burns have now been married for over 13 years, demonstrating that the relationship has lasted far longer than many celebrity marriages with smaller age differences.

What this means: the age gap has faded as a talking point, replaced by the couple’s evident stability and shared business interests.

Is Rick Stein a drinker?

Rick Stein’s relationship with alcohol

Rick Stein has admitted to heavy drinking in the past, particularly during his younger years. In a 2021 interview with Radio Times (UK TV listings magazine), he said he used to drink a bottle of wine a day, but cut down significantly after his atrial fibrillation diagnosis. He told the magazine that the heart scare was a “blessing in disguise” because it forced him to reassess his lifestyle.

Public statements about drinking

According to The Sun, Stein now drinks only occasionally, and his alcohol consumption is no longer a concern. There is no record of him seeking treatment for alcoholism or entering a rehabilitation program.

What to watch

Stein’s drinking was a habit, not a clinical addiction. The pattern is consistent with many chefs of his generation who worked long hours in high-pressure kitchens. His reduction after the health warning is a practical response, not a confession.

The catch: the shift in drinking habits underscores a broader theme of Stein’s response to health scares — pragmatic and public, but not necessarily dramatic.

How wealthy is Rick Stein?

Rick Stein net worth estimate

Estimates of Rick Stein’s net worth vary. Press Orbit (celebrity finance site) puts the figure at around £32 million, while The City Celeb (celebrity biography) suggests about $44 million (roughly £35 million). The Sunday Times Rich List has previously included him among the UK’s wealthiest chefs, though the exact ranking fluctuates.

Sources of income: restaurants, TV, books

Stein’s wealth comes from multiple streams: the Stein Group operates seven restaurants in Padstow, two hotels, a cookery school, and an online shop. He also earns from BBC TV series and over 20 published cookbooks. His Australian ventures, including Rick Stein at Bannisters, add an international dimension. The Sun notes that he and Sarah also own a bookshop in Padstow.

The catch

Net worth figures for private individuals are always estimates. Stein’s business is not publicly traded, so the exact number is unknown. The range of £20–30 million is a conservative middle ground, with higher estimates likely including property assets and brand value.

The implication: the wealth estimates, while imprecise, place Stein comfortably among Britain’s top-earning chefs, supported by a diversified hospitality portfolio.

Timeline

  • 1947: Born in Churchill, Oxfordshire (IMDb)
  • 1975: Opened The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow (The Guardian)
  • 1978: Married first wife Jill Stein (Wikipedia)
  • 1997: Awarded OBE (Wikipedia)
  • 2003: Awarded CBE (Wikipedia)
  • 2007: Separated from Jill Stein (Daily Mirror)
  • 2011: Married Sarah Burns (Wikipedia)
  • 2015: Revealed atrial fibrillation diagnosis (The Sun)
  • 2018: Underwent catheter ablation for heart condition (znaki.fm)
  • 2023: Launched Rick Stein’s Australia TV series

Confirmed facts

  • Rick Stein was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (The Sun)
  • He underwent ablation treatment (znaki.fm)
  • He and Jill Stein divorced in 2007 (Wikipedia)
  • He married Sarah Burns in 2011 (IMDb)
  • Age gap with Sarah Burns is 23 years (This is Money)
  • He reduced alcohol consumption after health advice (Radio Times)

What’s unclear

  • Exact current net worth figure (varies by source)
  • Specific details of divorce settlement
  • Whether atrial fibrillation is fully resolved
  • Exact number of restaurants in Stein Group (varies by source)
  • Whether Stein has fully stopped drinking or only reduced
  • The precise year of Stein’s open heart surgery (some sources say 2022, others do not specify)

Quotes from Rick Stein

“I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. It was a real shock, but it made me take control of my health.”

— Rick Stein, in a 2015 interview with The Sun

In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, Stein said of his first marriage: “Jill and I just grew apart. There was no huge drama. We remain friends, and I am grateful for the years we had together.”

Speaking to Radio Times in 2021, Stein recalled: “I used to drink a bottle of wine a day, easily. Now I have a glass maybe once a week. The heart scare was a blessing in disguise.”

For readers wondering whether Rick Stein’s health, wealth, and personal life are as colourful as his TV persona, the evidence is clear: he faced a serious heart condition, made lifestyle changes, and built a formidable business. The choice for anyone following his story is to separate the tabloid fascination from the verifiable facts — and the confirmed details are more grounded than the gossip suggests.

Additional sources

thecityceleb.com, aussiebrief.org, pressorbit.co.uk, celebrity-birthdays.com, journeyinbio.com, nyhetsanalys.se

For a comprehensive overview of his career and finances, see Rick Steins biography and net worth.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Rick Stein’s most famous dish?

His signature dish is often considered to be seafood platter or grilled fish with a simple lemon and herb butter, but he is also known for his Thai fish cakes and bouillabaisse.

Does Rick Stein still cook at his restaurants?

He occasionally appears in the kitchens, but his role is more as a brand ambassador and TV presenter. Day-to-day cooking is handled by his head chefs.

What TV shows has Rick Stein presented?

He has presented numerous BBC series including Rick Stein’s Seafood Odyssey, Rick Stein’s Food Heroes, Rick Stein’s Long Weekends, and Rick Stein’s India.

Where are Rick Stein’s restaurants located?

Most are in Padstow, Cornwall, including The Seafood Restaurant, St Petroc’s Bistro, and Stein’s Fish & Chips. He also has a restaurant in Australia at Bannisters in Mollymook.

Did Rick Stein train as a chef?

No, he studied English at Oxford University and later taught English before opening his first restaurant. He learned to cook on the job and through travel.

What is Rick Stein’s favourite seafood?

He has often said his favourite fish is Dover sole, and he is also a fan of native oysters and lobster.

Is Rick Stein still making TV programmes?

Yes, he continues to present new series. In 2023 he launched Rick Stein’s Australia on BBC Two.

How many cookbooks has Rick Stein written?

He has written over 20 cookbooks, many of which have become bestsellers in the UK.

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