Earl Spencer Net Worth: The Author, Historian, and Brother of a Princess
Last updated: August 2026
Introduction
Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, sits at the intersection of British nobility, literature, and public life. Best known as the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, he has built his own identity as an author, historian, and broadcaster, while 2026 has brought a wave of major personal news, from a fourth marriage to a newly announced memoir about his sister.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Edward Maurice Spencer |
| Born | May 20, 1964, Marylebone, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Eton College; Magdalen College, Oxford (MA, Modern History) |
| Occupation | Author, historian, journalist, broadcaster, peer |
| Years Active | 1986–present |
| Known For | Brother of Diana, Princess of Wales; author of nine history books; his 1997 funeral eulogy for Diana |
| Spouses | Victoria Lockwood (m. 1989–1997); Caroline Freud (m. 2001–2007); Karen Gordon (m. 2011–2025); Cat Jarman (m. May 2026) |
| Children | 7 |
| Title | 9th Earl Spencer |
| Net Worth (Est.) | $149–154 million (unverified estimate) |
Early Life and Family Background
Charles Spencer was born May 20, 1964, in Marylebone, London, the youngest of five children of John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, and Frances Roche (later Shand Kydd) [source: Wikipedia]. Due to his mother’s family connections to the royal family, he was baptized at Westminster Abbey with Queen Elizabeth II as one of his godmothers.
His sisters include Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes, and Diana, Princess of Wales. An elder brother, John, died just ten hours after birth, leaving Charles as heir to the earldom. His parents divorced when he was three; he and Diana, less than three years apart, grew especially close during their childhood at Park House on the Sandringham estate.
He was educated at Eton College and read modern history at Magdalen College, Oxford.
Career
Journalism and Broadcasting
Spencer began his career as an NBC News correspondent from 1986 to 1995, working on Today and NBC Nightly News, and later reported for Granada Television. He has presented for the History Channel, written for The Guardian, the Financial Times, and The Independent on Sunday, and currently co-hosts the history podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives alongside Cat Jarman and Richard Coles.
He inherited his peerage in 1992 following his father’s death, sitting in the House of Lords until hereditary peers were excluded in 1999.
Literary Career
Spencer has authored nine history books, including two Sunday Times bestsellers: Blenheim: Battle for Europe (2004) and Killers of the King (2014), along with Prince Rupert: The Last Cavalier (2007) and The White Ship (2020).
His most recent book, A Very Private School (2024), is a memoir detailing the sexual and physical abuse he suffered at boarding school, a process so difficult he sought mental health treatment while writing it. He has since become a vocal advocate for abuse survivors.
New for 2026: Spencer has announced a forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which will reportedly be his first extended public account of his relationship with Diana [source: Hello! magazine]. No confirmed publication date was available at the time of writing; check for updates before publishing.
The Funeral Eulogy
On September 6, 1997, Spencer delivered his widely remembered eulogy at Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey, vowing to protect her sons and criticizing the media’s treatment of her.
Personal Life
Marriages
Spencer has been married four times:
- Victoria Lockwood (1989–1997), four children: Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, Lady Amelia, and Louis, Viscount Althorp
- Caroline Freud (2001–2007), two children: Edmund and Lara
- Karen Gordon (2011–2025), one daughter, Lady Charlotte Diana, born 2012. The couple separated in June 2024, and their divorce was finalized in February 2026 after a roughly two-year legal process [source: Hola!; correcting the original draft, which had stated December 2025, that date corresponds to a separate lawsuit settlement, detailed below]
- Cat Jarman (married May 15, 2026), a Norwegian archaeologist and Spencer’s Rabbit Hole Detectives podcast co-host. The couple married in a private ceremony near Sedona, Arizona [source: PEOPLE; Hello! magazine]. They first connected when Jarman came to Althorp to lead an archaeological dig, and Spencer later reviewed her 2021 bestseller, River Kings.
In October 2024, before the wedding, Jarman filed a lawsuit against Karen Spencer alleging misuse of private medical information relating to Jarman’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis. The case was settled in December 2025, with Karen’s team stating there was no admission of wrongdoing and agreeing to cover Jarman’s legal costs [source: PEOPLE].
In July 2026, Charles and Cat announced they had welcomed a Eurasier puppy, Phoenix, to the Althorp Estate as a wedding gift to each other [source: Yahoo Entertainment].
Sobriety
Spencer has spoken openly about giving up alcohol, marking six months of sobriety in October 2025 and crediting Jarman’s support in the process [source: Reality Tea]. As of 2026, he has surpassed one year sober.
Earl Spencer’s Net Worth: What’s Actually Known
Estimates of Spencer’s net worth vary by source. The 2009 Sunday Times Rich List placed it at approximately $149 million; more recent unofficial estimates put it closer to $154 million. Neither figure is independently confirmed.
The primary component of the Spencer family’s wealth is the Althorp Estate, the family’s ancestral home in Northamptonshire, held by the Spencers for more than 500 years. The estate, a Grade I listed mansion set on roughly 13,500 acres, is estimated to be worth around £100 million ($130 million). Under male primogeniture, the estate and title will pass to his son, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp.
Editor’s note: Net worth figures for private individuals, including members of the British nobility, are third-party estimates rather than audited financial disclosures. We present the commonly cited range without treating either figure as confirmed.
Legacy
Spencer has used his platform to advocate for abuse survivors following A Very Private School and remains a close, supportive figure to his nephew Prince Harry. As custodian of the Althorp Estate, he continues to balance preserving his family’s history, including its physical archaeology, through his work with Jarman, with sharing it publicly via his books and podcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Earl Spencer’s net worth? Estimates range from $149 million to $154 million, though these are unofficial and unverified.
Who is Earl Spencer? Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, is a British peer, author, journalist, and broadcaster, and the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Who is Earl Spencer married to? He married archaeologist and podcast co-host Cat Jarman in a private Arizona ceremony on May 15, 2026, his fourth marriage.
When did Earl Spencer’s third marriage end? His divorce from Karen Spencer was finalized in February 2026, following their June 2024 separation.
How many children does Earl Spencer have? Seven, across his first three marriages.
What is Earl Spencer’s new book? He has announced Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, a forthcoming memoir about his relationship with his sister. No publication date was confirmed at the time of writing.
What is the Althorp Estate worth? Approximately £100 million ($130 million), including a Grade I listed mansion and roughly 13,500 acres.
What did Earl Spencer say at Diana’s funeral? He delivered a eulogy criticizing the media and royal family’s treatment of Diana and vowing that her “blood family” would protect her sons.
What is Earl Spencer’s podcast? The Rabbit Hole Detectives, co-hosted with Cat Jarman and Richard Coles.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spencer,_9th_Earl_Spencer
- PEOPLE, “Who Is Charles Spencer’s Wife? All About Archaeologist Cat Jarman”: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/charles-spencer-wife-archaeologist-cat-153803503.html
- Hello! magazine, wedding coverage: https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/902289/charles-spencer-marries-cat-jarman-stunning-photos/
- Reality Tea, sobriety milestone: https://www.realitytea.com/2025/10/17/princess-diana-brother-charles-spencer-six-months-sober/
- Yahoo Entertainment, Althorp family update: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/earl-charles-spencer-wife-cat-131716789.html
