James Robert Frederick Stunt, born on January 21, 1982, in Surrey, England, is a name that has captured the public’s attention for both his lavish lifestyle and controversial legal battles. Known as a businessman, art collector, and socialite, Stunt became a figure of fascination and scandal in equal measure. His life story is one of ambition, luxury, downfall, and the ongoing quest for personal and financial recovery.
Early Life and Family Background
James Stunt was born into a family with a strong connection to business. His father, Geoffrey Stunt, worked in the printing and publishing industry, while his mother, Lorraine Stunt, managed the household. Growing up in the affluent surroundings of Surrey, James was exposed early on to wealth and status, which would later shape his business and social ambitions. His upbringing in an upper-middle-class family set the stage for his future as a businessman and socialite. He attended private schooling in the UK and later went on to study at the European Business School in London, where he began honing the skills that would define his career in the world of finance and precious metals.
James Stunt is 43 years old as of 2025, with a public image that remains larger than life despite the financial and legal struggles he has endured over the years.
James Stunt Career and Business Ventures
Stunt’s professional journey began in the world of finance, where he made his mark as a gold bullion dealer. He founded Stunt & Co. Ltd., a company specializing in precious metals trading, which became the cornerstone of his wealth. As a businessman, Stunt didn’t limit himself to just gold trading. He expanded into art collecting, luxury properties, and even rare wines, amassing an impressive collection of high-value assets.
At the height of his success, he owned numerous luxury cars, including Rolls-Royces and Lamborghinis, along with a substantial art collection that boasted works from some of the world’s most famous artists. His lifestyle, often described as one of excess, made him a prominent figure in high society, frequently making headlines for his indulgent habits, including a penchant for gambling and high-stakes socializing.
James Stunt Marriage to Petra Ecclestone
In 2011, Stunt married Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of Formula 1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone. Their wedding was a grand affair, held at Odescalchi Castle in Italy, and attracted significant media attention. Petra, an heiress to a vast fortune, brought even more exposure to Stunt, cementing his place in the highest echelons of British society. The marriage was widely seen as a perfect pairing of wealth and influence.
The couple had three children: a daughter, Lavinia, born in 2013, and twin sons, James Jr. and Andrew, born in 2015. Despite the appearance of a fairy-tale life, their marriage ended in divorce in 2017, amid a bitter legal dispute. Petra was granted sole custody of the children, and their split marked the beginning of Stunt’s public and financial troubles.
Legal Troubles and Financial Collapse
After the divorce, Stunt’s financial situation began to unravel. In 2020, he was charged with money laundering and forgery as part of an investigation into his business dealings. Prosecutors claimed that Stunt had been involved in a scheme that funneled illicit money through his company, converting it into gold and moving it across international borders. These charges were tied to his business relationship with a precious metals and jewelry dealer based in Bradford, England.
Stunt denied the charges, insisting that he had not knowingly engaged in illegal activities. He argued that his business was legitimate and that he had trusted his associates. However, the legal battles, along with the public scandal, caused significant damage to his reputation and financial standing. Many of his assets were frozen, and he was eventually declared bankrupt in the wake of the legal issues.
The Trial and Acquittal
Stunt’s trial became a highly publicized event. The first trial, in 2022, ended in a hung jury, with no clear verdict. The case went to retrial in 2025, and this time, Stunt was acquitted of all charges. The jury found him not guilty of money laundering, a major victory that cleared his name in the case. However, the damage to his wealth and reputation was already done. The years of legal battles had taken a significant toll on his finances, and his luxurious lifestyle was a thing of the past.
James Stunt Personal Life After the Scandal
In the aftermath of his legal troubles, Stunt has largely remained out of the public eye, focusing on rebuilding his life and business. Reports suggest that he is working on restoring his precious metals trading and art investment ventures, but it is unclear whether he will ever regain the same level of wealth or influence he once enjoyed. He has also spoken publicly about the personal toll the legal issues and his divorce took on him, mentioning his addiction struggles and how they contributed to his fall from grace.
Despite the difficulties, Stunt seems determined to rebuild his life, though he now speaks more cautiously about gambling and excessive spending, which were once key elements of his lifestyle.
James Stunt Net Worth and Current Status
As of 2025, Stunt’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, a dramatic drop from the multi-billion-dollar fortune he was once thought to have. Many of his assets were seized or sold during his bankruptcy proceedings, and the legal costs associated with his trials drained much of his wealth. However, he remains a wealthy individual by most standards, and it is believed that he is working toward rebuilding his fortune.
Legacy and Public Image
James Stunt’s legacy is one of extreme contrasts. On one hand, he was once a symbol of wealth and luxury, living a life of excess that captivated the media and elite circles. On the other hand, his fall from grace, marked by legal troubles, bankruptcy, and his divorce from Petra Ecclestone, has made him a controversial figure. While his acquittal in 2025 offered him a fresh start, the stigma of his past still lingers, and it remains to be seen whether he can reclaim his former status in the business world.
His story, a mixture of ambition, wealth, scandal, and redemption, serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of fortune. Despite the challenges he has faced, James Stunt is still very much a figure in the public eye — a reminder that fame and fortune can be fleeting, and the consequences of living a life of excess can be far-reaching.
James Stunt Family, Nationality, and Religion
James Stunt hails from the United Kingdom, making him British by nationality. His family has deep ties to the business world, with his father, Geoffrey Stunt, working in printing and publishing, and his mother, Lorraine Stunt, managing the household. As for his religion, Stunt has been described in some reports as adhering to the Christian faith, though details about his personal beliefs are rarely discussed publicly.
Stunt’s three children — Lavinia, James Jr., and Andrew — remain central to his life, though his ex-wife, Petra Ecclestone, has sole custody. Despite the legal battles and the collapse of his marriage, Stunt has shown a commitment to remaining involved in his children’s lives.
Conclusion
James Stunt life is a complex tale of wealth, ambition, scandal, and recovery. He rose from relatively modest beginnings to become one of the most well-known figures in British high society, only to see his empire collapse due to legal troubles, personal issues, and a reckless lifestyle. His acquittal in 2025 provides him a chance at redemption, though the road ahead is uncertain. As he attempts to rebuild both his personal life and business interests, his journey serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of fame and fortune. Whether he can regain his former wealth and stature remains to be seen, but Stunt’s story will continue to intrigue and captivate those who follow the unpredictable paths of high society.