Baking is in Paul Hollywood's blood. The celebrity British baker and silver-haired- judge on the Great British Bake Off and The Great American Baking Show was born into a family of bakers, and when he was just a teenager Paul took over his father's bakery. He then went on to hold the prestigious title of Head Baker at many exclusive hotels such as The Dorchester and Clivedon House Hotel — so Paul certainly knows his way around an oven!
Far from his humble beginnings, Paul is now a superstar baker and a regular on Channel 4 and Roku, and the 57-year-old is rumored to be worth almost a cool $20 million.
Paul Hollywood's net worth
Paul Hollywood has an estimated net worth of $18.9 million after he earned $4.8 million in 2022.
According to accounts filed at Companies House, the baking star has made his money through TV appearances but also his cookbook and cookware ranges.
How much does Paul make for Bake Off?
His company HJP Media is worth $5.4 million, with the celebrity chef making a reported $2.1 million through the business, while his other company Paul Hollywood Ltd, is worth $4.5 million. He also earns $505,000 a year for hosting the Great British Baking Show on Netflix, alongside Prue Leith.
Not only is he one of the best-known bakers on TV, but Paul has also spent years proving his talent in kitchens. Then there's the many book deals, television gigs, and appearances at food festivals that have contributed to his whopping income.
MORE: It's been revealed that Paul Hollywood earns a whopping nine times more than his Bake Off co-stars
Paul Hollywood's Early life
Although he is the son of a baker, Paul originally trained as a sculptor until his father convinced him to try his hand at bread making. Following his stint at some of the UK's most glamorous hotels as Head Baker, Paul travelled his way through Cyprus, Jordan and Egypt. There he visited remote villages and learned how to make bread using ancient techniques.
When he arrived home in the UK, Paul's media career really took off. He joined the Carlton Food Network and Taste in 2002 where he co-presented TV series with James Martin.
Paul Hollywood's Cookbooks
The master baker has been writing cookbooks for many years.
In 2005, Paul's 100 Great Breads was hailed as the Top Bread and Pastry book by The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, and in 2014 his bestseller Pies and Puds was number two in the Christmas list of bestsellers.
He also has How to Bake, where he reveals all the secrets of his craft, A Baker's Life which follows a different decade of his life and features 100 of his favorite recipes from his travels, and his new 2023 book Bake, described as the "ultimate collection of incredible bakes, combining every one of Paul's tips and tricks".
MORE: Paul Hollywood made all of the bakers cry after tricky challenge on GBBO
Paul Hollywood's TV appearances
There are far too many to recount here, but Paul is no stranger to TV. He's appeared on Bake Off and The Great American Baking Show as a judge, as well as shows such as This Morning, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The Great British Bake Off
Paul has starred on The Great British Bake Off since it first aired in 2010, when he appeared alongside Mary Berry as a judge on BBC Two and later Channel 4 with Prue Leith.
The show now airs globally and he also stars alongside Prue, and hosts Ellie Kemper and Zach Cherry, on The Great American Baking Show.
Paul Hollywood's home
Paul previously lived in a Grade I-listed home in Kent, which he listed for sale in 2016 and sold in 2017 for $1 million; grade I homes are the site of exceptional national, architectural or historical importance. Giving a peek inside the kitchen on Instagram, Paul showcased the traditional décor, with wooden beams and open shelving displaying mugs and teacups.
The Bake Off judge moved into another Grade II-listed mansion – located just a few miles away from his previous home in Kent – and it's set in over 10 acres of land, perfect for growing his own produce.
Grade II homes are "of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve it".
Paul's divorce from ex-wife Alexandra
Paul and his ex-wife Alexandra were married for 20 years. The former couple, who share a teenage son called Josh, briefly split in 2013 after the Bake Off judge's affair with his American Baking Competition co-star, Marcela Valladolid, came to light.
Alexandra received a £1.4 million pay-out but the couple later reconciled, with Paul calling his affair "the biggest mistake" of his life. They split for the second time in November 2017.