After decades of global living—from Monaco to the Caribbean—John Cleese, the legendary Monty Python star, is now considering a move closer to where it all began.
At 85, he’s eyeing a new home in the historic city of Bath, a short hop from his childhood roots.
From Tax Havens to Home Turf
Cleese has long sought out tax-friendly destinations, spending time in Nevis and Monaco, but says that emotionally, the West Country has always been home.
Speaking at Clifton College in Bristol, where he went to school, he shared: “There’s something about the way people lived back then—kind, peaceful, considerate—that’s missing these days.”
Still Working Hard Thanks to Costly Divorce
Despite his status as a comedy icon, Cleese describes himself as “surprisingly poor.”
A large part of that, he’s joked over the years, stems from a $20 million divorce settlement he paid to his third wife, Alyce Faye Eichelberger.
He’s still paying it off—and still doing stand-up to manage it.
Comedy Tours for the Sake of Alimony
Cleese hasn’t shied away from being honest about why he’s stayed on stage.
During his “Alimony Tour,” he famously told audiences: “I’m doing this for the money.”
Even during TV interviews, he quips that he might’ve retired if not for that hefty payout.
A Long List of Marriages and Lessons Learned
John’s love life has had its share of chapters—four marriages in total.
He was once married to Fawlty Towers co-star Connie Booth and later to Barbara Trentham.
But it’s his split from Eichelberger that left the biggest financial dent, one he’s still recovering from years later.
Public Jabs at His Ex and a Dash of Humor
He’s made his bitterness clear, even turning it into stand-up material.
In one show, he projected a photo of his ex-wife on stage and quipped about her “daily stroll to collect alimony.”
Cleese even joked that if she’d accepted $15 million instead of $20 million, he could’ve gone to bed early instead of performing.
Rift Among Monty Python Co-Founders
Not everyone in the Monty Python crew is thrilled with each other.
Eric Idle, 82, recently spoke out about tensions within the group, claiming the others were ungrateful despite earning millions from their work.
He expressed frustration about being accused of hoarding money and said they were often “miserable and horrible” about it all.
Clashing Views on Money and Gratitude
Idle added that while the team benefited from projects like Spamalot, he often felt underappreciated.
Despite the financial success, he said the group argued frequently and that some projects, like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, were creatively draining.
Comedy’s Tough Truths, According to Idle
Idle made a point: having too much money can ruin comedy.
The best work, he argued, often came during struggles and creative tension—not luxury.
He believes that true comedic brilliance is rarely born from comfort and ease.
A Lasting Legacy from Sketches to Global Fame
Though they’ve had their differences, there’s no denying Monty Python’s impact.
From their BBC days with Flying Circus to international success, Cleese and his co-creators helped shape comedy as we know it.
And now, Cleese seems ready to settle down—not in the spotlight, but somewhere calm, familiar, and finally, close to home.
