Adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls is the latest celebrity to be interviewed by documentarian Louis Theroux in his new BBC Two series, Interviews. In the 45-minute chat, the 48-year-old, who is originally from London, talks to Louis from his island - Saint Tudwal's in Abersoch, north Wales.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Bear is reportedly worth around £21 million, but he tells Louis that money is not his "motivator". Discussing his enormous wealth, he says: "Money's never been the number one motivator, but it's easy to say that once you've earned a bit. In the early days, it was a big motivator." He goes on to talk about how, following the success of his first TV show, Man vs. Wild, his financial situation changed.
"I'm not a flash cars sort of person," Bear reveals before Louis replies: "You're a parachutes guy, aren't you?" and the adventurer reveals that the majority of his money is spent on "parachutes and paragliders". He then reveals that TV is his biggest earner.
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Bear adds: "Money, fame, glory - it's never enough for people. I see it all the time, chatting to all these stars and often, they know." He then advises people to "follow what they really love" in order to be truly happy. Louis quickly responds: "I don't know if people are ready to hear that from multi-millionaire Bear Grylls. It sounds a little bit hollow." To which Bear agrees.
"To me, the focus is to go and do the work but otherwise, I am at my happiest when I am with my family," Bear adds. When not in north Wales, he lives in London with wife Shara and their three children - Jesse (born 2003), Marmaduke (born 2006) and Huckleberry (born 2009).
Louis' interview with Bear primarily takes place on the adventurer's north west Wales island. He purchased it in 2001 for £95,000 and relaxes there with his family for a "few weeks a year". The rocky, grass-covered island is one of two St Tudwal's Islands and measures around 2,000 feet long and 650 feet wide. It is in an area of outstanding natural beauty and a landscape of outstanding historical interest. Last year, Bear was granted permission from Gwynedd Council to install bilingual signs to advise would-be visitors of its private ownership.
Speaking about his north Wales home with Vanity Fair in 2020, Bear said: "Our small, private island hideaway is 20 acres and five miles offshore with no mains, electricity, or running water. It has a little lighthouse beside our house and is surrounded by amazing sea cliffs, seals, and dolphins. It is my favourite place on the planet!" He added that the house is constructed of two-foot-thick old limestone walls which make it cool in summer and warm in winter.
Exploring the island during his interview, Louis comments: “That’s it? There’s not a mansion on the other side? That’s the dwelling, is it?” and Bear quickly responds: “What are you saying?”, to which the documentarian adds: “I’m saying - It’s not small but winningly down to earth.”
Watch Louis Theroux Interviews... Bear Grylls on BBC Two at 9pm on Tuesday, November 15. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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