James Stunt Net Worth

What is James Stunt's Net Worth?

James Stunt is a British businessman who has a net worth of $1 million. James Stunt is best known for being the ex-husband of heiress Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula 1 Billionaire Bernie Ecclestone. They were married from 2011 to 2017. They have three children together, a daughter and twin boys.

James Stunt married Petra Ecclestone in a lavish Italian ceremony that reportedly cost more than $15 million. The wedding took place in Odescalchi Castle, Rome, Italy, in August 2011. The couple became internationally well-known when Petra paid $85 million for the famous Spelling Manor mansion in 2011. Petra listed the house for sale in 2014 for $150 million but did not ultimately find a buyer. She listed the house again in 2018 for $200 million, again not finding a buyer. She finally found a buyer for $120 million in 2019. Petra already came to the marriage with a $90 million home in London.

Over the years, he has built a public persona tied to high-stakes dealmaking, fine art acquisitions, gold trading, and relationships that placed him in the limelight. While his financial claims have often drawn scrutiny, Stunt's career has remained closely linked to luxury assets, high-profile marriages, and legal battles—making him a polarizing presence in modern British high society.

In January 2019, Stunt was sued by his former father-in-law, Bernie, for an unpaid debt of $100,000 related to a gold coin business. Stunt was also sued by the landlord of his business office for failing to pay rent.

James Stunt Bankruptcy

In June 2019, James was declared bankrupt and "appalling" by a British court. At the time, Stunt was reportedly facing more than $6 million in immediate debts and was forced to agree to sell assets, including artwork. Other court documents claimed that his debts totaled $18 million. He reportedly owed money to a law firm, his former bodyguards, and a gambling firm. His legal team claimed that Stunt was "very, very, rich" but could not access his funds due to a police investigation. The bankruptcy court ordered him out of his $14 million mansion and removed access to his fleet of vehicles.

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Petra Instagram Postings

In December 2019, Petra posted some shocking allegations about James on Instagram. In the posts, she claimed that some of his cars were fakes. For example, she alleged that his Lamborghini was a homebuilt kit car that used a Ford key for its ignition. She also knocked down James' long-running claims of being a self-made billionaire. Here are some of the most scathing posts from Petra's rant:

"It is now time to tell the truth about my ex-husband – a horrible and narcissistic man who simply will not leave us alone."

"Let's shatter the James Stunt myth. The man is not a billionaire and never was. Naively, I funded his life for our entire marriage and paid for his cars, his watches, his art (the few real ones) even his failed company."

"Sadly, James always had such a sick obsession with money and being perceived to be an independently successful billionaire. The trouble is he spent most of his days in bed, high on prescription drugs."

"Still to this day I pay the bills of a Rolls-Royce he financed in my name, not to mention the storage of all of his art in LA."

Allegedly Fake Paintings

In 2017, James lent 17 paintings to the Prince of Wales's charity, Dumfries House. In December 2019, it was revealed that three of these paintings were allegedly fakes. The paintings – reportedly by Monet, Dali, and Picasso – were then allegedly used as collateral in an attempt to borrow more than $50 million.

Early Life and Education

James Robert Frederick Stunt was born into a comfortable English family. His father, Geoffrey Stunt, was a successful businessman, and his mother, Lorraine, worked in the arts. Raised in Surrey, James attended private schools, including Bradfield College, before studying at the European Business School in London. He had one brother, Lee, who tragically passed away in 2016. Growing up, James developed an early fascination with art, luxury cars, and finance—interests that would later define both his career and his image.

Business Ventures and Art Collection

Stunt built his business reputation through ventures in precious metals, commodities trading, and fine art. He established Stunt & Co. Ltd., through which he claimed to operate in gold trading, oil, and shipping. While some of his business dealings were met with skepticism, he gained notoriety as an art collector with a taste for Old Masters, Impressionists, and rare pieces by artists including Rubens, Van Dyck, Turner, and Picasso. His collection was once valued in the hundreds of millions and included works loaned to prestigious institutions such as Dumfries House, a charitable foundation supported by King Charles III.

His art acquisitions and gold-trading businesses were often intertwined, creating both intrigue and controversy. At the height of his wealth, Stunt was known for traveling with armed security, maintaining a fleet of luxury cars, and making grand gestures—like gifting millions in artwork or jewelry. His eye for art and his willingness to spend lavishly made him a well-known, if polarizing, figure among collectors and dealers.

Marriage to Petra Ecclestone

In 2011, James Stunt married Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone. Their wedding, held at Odescalchi Castle near Rome, reportedly cost several million pounds and was attended by celebrities, aristocrats, and business magnates. The couple's marriage symbolized the union of two high-profile families, both synonymous with wealth and luxury.

James and Petra went on to have three children: a daughter, Lavinia, and twin sons, James Jr. and Andrew. They lived between multiple lavish residences in London and Los Angeles, including a 57-room mansion in Bel-Air once owned by Aaron Spelling. Despite their opulent lifestyle, the marriage began to deteriorate amid reports of excessive spending and personal conflicts. The couple divorced in 2017 following a highly publicized and contentious court battle. During proceedings, Petra alleged controlling behavior and drug use, while James maintained that the accusations were exaggerated. The split resulted in one of the most expensive divorce settlements in British history.

Legal Struggles and Financial Collapse

After the divorce, Stunt's fortune and reputation began to unravel. He faced bankruptcy proceedings, and many of his assets—including valuable artworks—were seized or frozen by the courts. His offices and gold-trading ventures were later investigated for alleged money laundering, leading to a lengthy criminal trial. Stunt was accused of helping to launder millions of pounds through his gold operations, but in 2025, he was acquitted of all charges after a jury found insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.

During court testimony, Stunt acknowledged battling addiction to prescription painkillers and other substances during the height of his personal and financial turmoil. He described himself as having an "addictive personality" and admitted that fame and wealth had intensified his struggles. Despite the collapse of many of his ventures, Stunt has continued to portray himself as an art connoisseur and entrepreneur determined to rebuild his reputation.

Legacy and Public Image

James Stunt remains one of Britain's most controversial figures—a man whose life has blended ambition, extravagance, and public scrutiny. Admirers see him as a misunderstood risk-taker with genuine artistic appreciation and charm, while critics view him as a cautionary example of unchecked wealth and hubris. His social media presence and interviews reveal a mix of bravado and vulnerability, often reflecting on his mistakes and his desire for redemption.

Today, Stunt continues to live in the United Kingdom, occasionally surfacing in interviews or public appearances related to art and finance. His story serves as a modern parable about the volatility of wealth and the fine line between success and self-destruction. Whether remembered as a flamboyant collector, a fallen financier, or a survivor of scandal, James Stunt remains an enduring—and divisive—figure in the world of British high society.

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