Earl Spencer's ex-wife 'living in £3.6million mansion' just 10 miles from Althorp Estate
Earl Spencer's ex-wife 'living in £3.6million mansion' just 10 miles from Althorp Estate
Ben McCaffrey Fri, October 2, 2026 at 10:26 AM UTC
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Charles Spencer and Karen Spencer | Source: PA
Earl Spencer's ex-wife, Karen, Countess Spencer, has chosen to remain in Britain following the pair's bitter divorce last year.
The 54-year-old Canadian-born social entrepreneur spent £3.6million on an impressive country mansion situated on the fringe of a charming village, a mere 10 miles from the 13,000-acre Althorp estate in Northamptonshire, according to the Daily Mail.
Some had anticipated that the countess might depart the UK entirely after her 13-year marriage ended, particularly once Earl Spencer, 62, embarked on a new relationship and subsequently wed Norwegian archaeologist Professor Cat Jarman.
Instead, it is claimed that Karen has chosen to build a fresh chapter for herself practically on Althorp's doorstep.
With a generous divorce settlement at her disposal, the countess is said to have chosen a property boasting six bedrooms, a heated swimming pool, a gymnasium, and outdoor dining spaces ideal for entertaining
Estate agents have described it as "a remarkable country estate that epitomises luxury and refined living."
Karen's path to Althorp began with a blind date in Los Angeles in 2010, where she fell for Earl Spencer. She relocated to the Northamptonshire estate the following year.
Before meeting the Earl, she had been married to Mark Gordon, the Hollywood producer behind blockbusters such as Saving Private Ryan and The Day After Tomorrow.
Initially, she split her time between England and California, where her two elder daughters from her first marriage were growing up. She also has a 14-year-old daughter with Earl Spencer.
However, the couple's separation was made public in June 2024, which triggered a series of bitter legal disputes, during which Karen continued living at the estate under what were described as increasingly difficult circumstances for all involved.
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Karen claimed the Earl was having an affair and suggested that he ended the marriage via a text message - claims Earl Spencer strongly denies.
Then, the Earl's new wife, Professor Spencer, claimed his ex-wife of 13 years shared her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis with the 62-year-old Earl, among others, without her consent.
Karen Spencer cat | Source: INSTAGRAM: @KARENSPENCER
Cat initiated legal proceedings in October 2024. The matter was resolved for an undisclosed amount with no admission of wrongdoing.
The Spencers' divorce proceedings revealed the Earl had been ordered to indemnify his wife by an arbitrator by way of a formal loan, while a statement in the High Court detailed he had also contributed to Ms Jarman's legal costs.
In a statement, the Earl said his new wife had handled proceedings with "grace, integrity and quiet courage."
Meanwhile, then-Professor Jarman said that "medical privacy is not negotiable."
Professor Cat Jarman | Source: INSTAGRAM: @PROFCATSPENCER
Amid the legal battle, Karen moved into a rental property in January 2025, along with two of her sheep, though her seven horses had yet to arrive at that point.
She then announced the purchase of her permanent new home in October 2025.
She told Instagram: "The beautiful house I bought was designed by contemporary architect Charles Morris, who is known for his work on historic sites and new county houses."
Since settling in, the countess has embraced what she describes as "new beginnings," sharing updates with her followers as she furnishes the property, sourcing pieces at auction to transform the house into a proper home.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
