Amanda Owen’s Year of Turmoil: Breakdowns, a Solo Birth, and Rebuilding Life
Amanda Owen, the renowned shepherdess and author, has shared her experiences of a challenging year marked by personal struggles and an unconventional home birth. After separating from her husband of 22 years, Clive Owen, in June 2022, she faced numerous difficulties—including a mental health crisis and the arrival of her eighth child under unexpected circumstances.
Owen's marriage to Clive ended in mid-2022, yet the pair remain close and continue to co-parent their children. Despite the separation, their focus has stayed on family life at their remote Yorkshire farm.
In recent months, Owen has spoken about a 'cataclysmic' breakdown that left her battling anxiety, depression, paranoia, and agoraphobia. The strain was exacerbated by an eating disorder, which she linked to the fallout of a brief relationship with Rob Davies. That romance ended abruptly after intense media scrutiny added to her distress. Her latest challenge came with the birth of her daughter, Clemmy. With past labors complicated by the long journey to the hospital, Owen chose to stay home this time. Too exhausted to arrange transport, she gave birth on the floor of her farmhouse, surrounded by cushions, a rug, and even her terrier. No ambulance was called, and the delivery went ahead without medical assistance.
Owen now faces the task of rebuilding her health while raising her family. Her decision to manage Clemmy's birth alone highlights the isolation of farm life and her determination to cope independently. The coming months will likely focus on recovery and adjusting to her new family dynamic.
