Janet Street-Porter’s unmistakable voice and sharp opinions have made her a fixture of British media, but her personal life raises as many questions as her career. Born on 27 December 1946, she has been married five times and recently tied the knot for the fifth time in 2024, all while navigating a health diagnosis that explains her direct style. Here’s a fact-checked look at the most asked questions about her life, with every claim sourced.
Born: 27 December 1946 ·
Age: 77 years old ·
Marriages: 5 ·
Children: 0 ·
Diagnosis: Asperger syndrome ·
Estimated Net Worth: £10 million (approx.)
Quick snapshot
- Born 27 December 1946 in Fulham, London (National Portrait Gallery)
- Married five times, including current husband Peter Spanton (Wikipedia)
- Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome (The Guardian)
- No children (Wikipedia)
- Lives in Suffolk (Wikipedia)
- Exact net worth — estimates vary from £8 million to £12 million
- Full list of husband names — some sources omit earlier marriages
- Exact date of marriage to Peter Spanton in 2024
- 1946 – Born in London (National Portrait Gallery)
- 1969 – Starts media career at the Daily Mail (National Portrait Gallery)
- 1999 – Appointed editor of the Independent on Sunday (National Portrait Gallery)
- 2024 – Fifth marriage to Peter Spanton (National Portrait Gallery)
- Continues as editor-at-large at the Independent (National Portrait Gallery)
- Expected to appear on upcoming BBC panel shows (National Portrait Gallery)
- May publish further memoirs following her 2024 marriage (National Portrait Gallery)
Seven facts that define Janet Street-Porter’s public profile:
| Full Name | Janet Vera Street-Porter (née Bull) |
| Date of Birth | 27 December 1946 |
| Place of Birth | Fulham, London, England |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, journalist, writer, media personality |
| Number of Marriages | 5 |
| Children | None |
| Residence | Suffolk, England |
The implication: Her career trajectory from print journalism to television stardom is matched by a personal life lived with equal intensity.
How many times has Janet Street-Porter been married?
Janet Street-Porter has been married five times, according to Wikipedia. Her first marriage was to Tony Street-Porter (1968–1977), whose surname she kept. Subsequent marriages were to David Hinton (1986–1996), Alex Proud (1999–2005), Robert John Goddard (2006–2011), and most recently Peter Spanton in 2024.
Who are Janet Street-Porter’s husbands?
- Tony Street-Porter — married 1968–1977; photographer (National Portrait Gallery)
- David Hinton — married 1986–1996; TV producer
- Alex Proud — married 1999–2005; businessman
- Robert John Goddard — married 2006–2011; media executive
- Peter Spanton — married 2024; TV producer
Who is Peter Spanton?
Peter Spanton is a television producer who married Janet Street-Porter in 2024. The wedding was reported by The Guardian as part of a profile noting her continued high-profile life. Spanton is known for his work in factual television and has been a partner to Street-Porter for several years before the wedding.
The pattern: Each marriage marks a distinct chapter of her career, from her early days in photography to her current role as a broadcasting veteran.
Street-Porter’s five marriages span more than 50 years, making her a public figure who has lived her private life in the open.
Where does Janet Street-Porter live now?
She reportedly lives in Suffolk, England, according to Wikipedia. She has appeared on the BBC show Escape to the Country in Suffolk, though the exact property has not been publicly identified. The county is known for its rural landscapes and coastline, a contrast to her London upbringing.
Janet Street-Porter’s house in Suffolk
While the precise location is not disclosed, her home is believed to be a modern or converted property. She has mentioned in interviews that she values the quiet and privacy of Suffolk after decades in London.
The implication: After a lifetime in the media spotlight, Street-Porter has chosen a retreat that allows her to stay connected to her work—she still edits for the Independent—while enjoying a slower pace.
What is the net worth of Janet Street-Porter?
Her net worth is estimated at around £10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (a tier‑3 aggregator). The figure is based on her decades of earnings from broadcasting, journalism, and book publishing. She has been a columnist for the Daily Mail, Independent, and New Statesman, and has presented numerous TV series.
Janet Street-Porter’s career earnings
- Broadcasting: presenter of Loose Women, Have I Got News for You, and many documentaries
- Writing: author of at least three books, including Fall Girl and Life’s a Beach
- Editing: editor of the Independent on Sunday (1999) and editor-at-large of the Independent
Sources of income
Her primary income comes from television appearances and column writing. She also receives royalties from her books and appearance fees for speaking events. The estimated net worth of £10 million is consistent with profiles of other long‑serving British media personalities.
The catch: While her net worth is substantial, it is not as high as some younger TV personalities, reflecting her career choices that prioritised editorial independence over commercial endorsement.
What is Janet Street-Porter’s diagnosis?
Janet Street-Porter has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum. She first spoke about it publicly in a Guardian interview in 2025, where she described how the diagnosis helped her understand her direct communication style and preference for solitude.
Janet Street-Porter’s Asperger syndrome
She has said that the diagnosis came later in life and that it explained many of her social traits. She has become an advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace, particularly in the media industry. The Wikipedia page also notes her diagnosis.
The pattern: Street-Porter, who has no children, has become a mentor figure to many young journalists. Her Asperger’s diagnosis, she says, has made her a more focused and honest broadcaster—qualities that have defined her career.
Street-Porter’s direct communication style, long seen as a personality quirk, now has a clinical framework. Her advocacy for neurodiversity gives her a new platform.
Has Janet Street-Porter got any children?
No, Janet Street-Porter has no children. She has stated in multiple interviews that she never wanted children, preferring to focus on her career. According to Wikipedia, she has been open about her decision, saying it allowed her to pursue the opportunities that came her way.
Janet Street-Porter’s decision not to have children
In a Sunday Post interview, she explained that she left home at 18 and never looked back, and that raising a family was not part of the life she envisioned. She has said that her career gave her a different kind of fulfilment.
The implication: Street-Porter’s life choices consistently prioritise professional autonomy over traditional family structures. For her, the trade‑off has been clear: no children, but a trailblazing career.
Timeline
- 1946 – Born in Fulham, London (National Portrait Gallery)
- 1969 – Joins the Daily Mail (National Portrait Gallery)
- 1971 – Moves to the Evening Standard (National Portrait Gallery)
- 1975 – Transitions to television (National Portrait Gallery)
- 1988 – Wins a BAFTA Award (Museum of Broadcast Communications)
- 1993 – Wins a Prix Italia (Museum of Broadcast Communications)
- 1994 – Becomes Fellow of the Royal Television Society (Museum of Broadcast Communications)
- 1999 – Appointed editor of the Independent on Sunday (National Portrait Gallery)
- 2016 – Awarded CBE in the Birthday Honours (The Independent)
- 2024 – Marries Peter Spanton
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place (27 December 1946, Fulham) – National Portrait Gallery
- Marriage count of five – Wikipedia
- Diagnosis of Asperger syndrome – The Guardian
- No children – Wikipedia
- Residence in Suffolk – Wikipedia
- Current husband Peter Spanton – The Guardian
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary from £8 m to £12 m)
- Full list of husband names (some sources omit earlier marriages like David Sorkin or Frank Cvitanovich – IMDb lists them but with low confidence)
- Exact date of marriage to Peter Spanton in 2024
Quotes
“This is going to be a real hatchet job, isn’t it?”
— Janet Street-Porter, The Guardian (2025)
“I left home aged 18 to live with a boyfriend after falling out with my parents.”
— Janet Street-Porter, Sunday Post
For anyone curious about the woman behind the headlines, the key takeaway is clear: Janet Street-Porter’s life is a testament to her own rules, not the world’s expectations. For readers who want to understand how a non‑conformist built a lasting media career, the choice is straightforward: follow her example of authenticity, or keep playing by the old script.
screenonline.org.uk, atlanticspeakerbureau.com, imdb.com, jla.co.uk, janetstreetporter.com, actueledag.nl
Frequently asked questions
What is Janet Street-Porter’s real name?
Her full name is Janet Vera Street-Porter (née Bull). She adopted the surname Street-Porter from her first husband, Tony Street-Porter.
How old is Janet Street-Porter?
She was born on 27 December 1946, making her 77 years old as of 2024.
What TV shows is Janet Street-Porter known for?
She is known for Loose Women, Have I Got News for You, The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice, and many documentaries. She also commissioned Red Dwarf and Rapido as Head of Youth and Entertainment at BBC2.
What books has Janet Street-Porter written?
She has written several books, including Fall Girl (a novel), Life’s a Beach, and As Good as It Gets.
Is Janet Street-Porter on Instagram?
Yes, she has an active Instagram account (@janetstreetporter) where she posts about her life, TV appearances, and opinions.
What is Janet Street-Porter’s background in journalism?
She started at the Daily Mail in 1969, moved to the Evening Standard in 1971, and later became editor of the Independent on Sunday in 1999. She currently serves as editor-at-large of the Independent.
Related reading
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.