Fact Ledger

1. Full Name: Charles Edward Maurice Spencer — born May 20, 1964. Source: Hindustan Times 

2. Parents: John and Frances Spencer, Viscount and Viscountess Althorp. Source: Hindustan Times 

3. Siblings: Three elder sisters—Sarah, Jane, and Diana (Princess Diana); older brother John who died shortly after birth. Source: Hindustan Times 

4. Godmother: Queen Elizabeth II. Source: Hindustan Times 

5. Childhood Residence: Park House, near one of the Queen’s estates—received as wedding gift to his parents from maternal grandparents. Source: Hindustan Times 

6. Estimated Net Worth (2009 Sunday Times): $149 million. Source: Hindustan Times 

7. Estimated Net Worth (2012): £120 million. Source: London Evening Standard 

8. Althorp Estate Value: £100 million / $130 million (13,500 acres). Source: InStyle/The Sun 

9. Married Cat Jarman (2026): Private ceremony in Arizona; Jarman is 43, Spencer 61. Source: NationalWorld 

Who Is Earl Spencer? All About Princess Diana’s Brother and His $149 Million Fortune

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, has spent much of his life navigating the strange intersection of British aristocracy and global celebrity. While his late sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, remains one of the most documented figures of the 20th century, Spencer has carved his own path—as an author, broadcaster, and custodian of the Althorp Estate, the ancestral home where Diana is buried. His estimated fortune, reported at $149 million in 2009 and around £120 million in more recent years, places him among Britain’s wealthiest aristocrats, though his wealth is tied as much to land and legacy as liquid assets .

Beyond the figures, Spencer’s life has been marked by both duty and personal reinvention. He has married four times, most recently in 2026 to archaeologist Cat Jarman, with whom he co-hosts a podcast . He has written books on the English Civil War and worked as a journalist and broadcaster for outlets including NBC News. The Spencer family story, as he tells it, is not simply one of inherited privilege but of a legacy that carries both profound weight and considerable financial complexity.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Aristocratic Upbringing

Charles Edward Maurice Spencer was born on May 20, 1964, into one of Britain’s most storied aristocratic families. He was the fifth of six children born to John Spencer, Viscount Althorp, and his wife, Frances . His childhood, spent largely at Park House on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, was a privileged but not uncomplicated affair. Park House, given to his parents as a wedding gift by his maternal grandparents, sat within the royal estate’s boundaries—an early connection to the monarchy that would shape his family’s trajectory .

Spencer’s godmother was Queen Elizabeth II herself, a position that reflected the closeness of the Spencer and royal families before the marriage of his sister Diana to the Prince of Wales . His older brother, John, died shortly after birth, leaving Charles as the eldest surviving son—and eventual heir to the Earldom. He has three older sisters: Sarah, Jane, and Diana, the last of whom would become one of the most famous women in the world.

He was educated at Eton College and later at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied history. This academic background would inform his later career as an author and historian, particularly his books on the English Civil War. Unlike many aristocrats of his generation who relied entirely on inherited wealth, Spencer sought to build a public-facing career in journalism and broadcasting, working as a correspondent for NBC News among other outlets.

The Spencer Fortune and Althorp Estate

The Spencer wealth has been accumulated over centuries, tied to vast landholdings, art collections, and the 13,500-acre Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire . According to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2009, Spencer’s net worth was estimated at $149 million . By 2012, the London Evening Standard reported his worth at approximately £120 million . The central asset remains Althorp itself, valued at around £100 million ($130 million), which serves not only as a private residence but as a significant tourist attraction .

The estate has been in the Spencer family for over 500 years and is notable for its art collection, stately interiors, and particularly for being the final resting place of Princess Diana, who is buried on a small island in the estate’s lake. Charles has overseen significant restoration and public access initiatives at Althorp, turning it into both a memorial site and a revenue-generating property. The estate, along with the family’s art and investments, forms the bulk of his net worth. As hereditary custodians of this legacy, the Spencers are not simply wealthy—they are stewards of assets that span centuries, requiring careful management to preserve for future generations.

The heir to the title and fortune is Spencer’s son Louis, whose inheritance is expected to include the earldom and the estate, valued at approximately $130 million .

Personal Life and Four Marriages

Spencer’s personal life has been the subject of considerable media interest, largely due to his four marriages and his role as a public figure. His first marriage was to Victoria Lockwood in 1989; the couple had four children and lived in South Africa for a time. Lockwood later moved to Cape Town, where she raised their children .

After his divorce from Lockwood, Spencer married Caroline Freud in 2001, though this marriage also ended. In 2011, he married Karen Gordon, a divorcee, in a ceremony held at Althorp. That marriage, too, was short-lived. Spencer’s fourth marriage, in 2026, was to Professor Cat Jarman, an archaeologist and co-host of his podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives. The couple were married in a private ceremony in Arizona . Jarman, 43, is a prominent academic and media personality in her own right, and the couple continue to produce their podcast together.

Spencer’s relationships have often placed him in the tabloid spotlight, but he has generally maintained a dignified public stance, rarely discussing his sister’s legacy in depth except in measured, formal contexts—most notably his eulogy at Diana’s funeral in 1997, which remains one of the most powerful orations in modern British history.

Career as Author and Broadcaster

Beyond his aristocratic responsibilities, Spencer has built a credible career as an historian, author, and broadcaster. He has published several books, including Blenheim: Battle for Europe and Prince Rupert: The Last Cavalier, demonstrating a serious commitment to historical scholarship. His work on the English Civil War has been praised for its accessibility and depth, appealing to both academic and general audiences.

He has also worked as a journalist, contributing to outlets such as the Daily Telegraph and NBC News. His broadcasting work has included coverage of major events, though he has been careful to maintain a distinction between his professional roles and his family identity. More recently, he has ventured into podcasting alongside his wife Cat Jarman and co-host, further modernizing his public presence .

What His Story Reveals

Charles Spencer represents a particular kind of British aristocrat: one who inherited not only wealth and title but also the weight of a globally famous sibling. His net worth, whether measured at $149 million or more, is inseparable from the legacy of Althorp, the Spencer name, and the Diana association that continues to draw attention to his family . Yet his career as a historian, broadcaster, and podcaster suggests a man who has sought to build something of his own beyond the inheritance. His story is one of custodianship—of land, legacy, and memory—and of navigating fame that is entirely inherited, yet carefully managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Charles Spencer related to Princess Diana?

Charles Spencer is the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales. He was one of her closest confidants within the Spencer family and delivered a famous eulogy at her funeral in 1997.

What is the net worth of Earl Spencer?

His net worth was estimated at $149 million in 2009 by the Sunday Times Rich List . More recent reports from 2012 placed the figure at £120 million . The figure fluctuates based on valuations of Althorp Estate and other assets.

Where is Princess Diana buried?

Princess Diana is buried on a small island in the ornamental lake on the Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, the family home of the Spencers .

Who is Charles Spencer’s wife?

In 2026, Spencer married Professor Cat Jarman, an archaeologist and his co-host on the podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives .

Does Charles Spencer have children?

Yes, Spencer has four children from his first marriage to Victoria Lockwood. His son Louis is the heir to the earldom and the Althorp Estate .

Is Althorp Estate open to the public?

Yes, Althorp Estate opens its doors to the public during select periods of the year, including a dedicated exhibition about Princess Diana that runs during the summer months.