Jon Montgomery, Biography Age, Wife, Net Worth
Jon Montgomery is a Canadian icon in two completely different worlds. He won Olympic gold in skeleton. Then he became one of the most recognizable faces on Canadian television. His journey from an icy sliding track to the host’s chair on The Amazing Race Canada is a story of grit, charisma, and a certain unforgettable pitcher of beer. Here’s everything you need to know about him.
Quick Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jonathan Riley Montgomery |
| Birth Date | May 6, 1979 |
| Birthplace | Russell, Manitoba, Canada |
| Claim to Fame | 2010 Winter Olympic Gold Medalist (Skeleton) & Host of The Amazing Race Canada |
Early Life & Background
Jon Montgomery grew up in the small town of Russell, Manitoba. It’s the kind of place where everybody knows everybody. That small-town upbringing shaped him. It gave him the down-to-earth, approachable personality Canadians would later fall in love with on television.
He looked up to fellow Russell native Theoren Fleury growing up. Seeing a hometown athlete make it big on the national stage left a mark on young Jon.
His education took a practical turn. He attended the Canadian Automotive Institute, now known as the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College. This background would come in handy later. It set him up for a career far from the ice tracks he’d eventually dominate.
Career Highlights
From Auctioneer to Athlete
Before the medals and the microphones, Jon worked as a sales consultant and automobile auctioneer in Calgary. He still returns to this trade between hosting gigs and speaking engagements. It’s part of what keeps him grounded.
The Skeleton Career That Changed Everything
Jon’s path into skeleton racing started almost by accident. In 2002, he was touring Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park with his parents when he stumbled across a skeleton race in progress. He was hooked immediately. Within a week, he signed up for a Discover Skeleton School session and never looked back.
The gamble paid off in spectacular fashion. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Jon claimed gold in men’s skeleton. His victory instantly turned him into a national folk hero, but not just for the medal. Moments after his win, he was handed a pitcher of beer by an ecstatic fan in Whistler Village. He chugged it while walking through the crowd, singing along to “O Canada.” The moment went viral before “going viral” was even a common phrase. It remains one of the most beloved images in Canadian Olympic history.
He attempted to defend his title but failed to qualify for the 2014 Sochi Games. Shortly after, he announced he was “99 percent sure” his competitive skeleton career had come to an end.
Becoming Canada’s Favorite TV Host
In 2013, Jon found his second calling. CTV announced he would host the brand-new The Amazing Race Canada. It was a perfect fit. His natural charisma, quick wit, and genuine enthusiasm for adventure made him the ideal guide for teams racing across the country and around the world. Over a decade later, he’s still leading the pack, having hosted more than a dozen seasons. His work on the show has earned him multiple Canadian Screen Awards.
Beyond the show, Jon has built a career as a keynote speaker. He shares his Olympic journey and lessons on resilience with audiences across the country.
Personal Life
Wife: Darla Montgomery
Jon is married to Darla Montgomery, née Deschamps. The two share more than a marriage. Darla is a competitive skeleton athlete in her own right, earning her first World Cup medal in 2011. The pair actually met in the start house of the Calgary skeleton and bobsleigh track back in 2004, years before either of them became household names.
Does Jon Montgomery Have Kids?
Yes. Jon and Darla have two children together. Their son, Jaxon Mark, was born in 2016. Their daughter, Lennon, followed in 2019. The family currently resides on Vancouver Island, on Canada’s west coast.
Hobbies & Interests
Outside of work, Jon stays active with golfing and outdoor pursuits. Public speaking remains a passion of his, as does staying connected to the sports community that launched his career.
Financial Profile & Lifestyle
Sources of Income
Jon’s income comes from several streams. His long-running hosting role on The Amazing Race Canada is likely his biggest earner. He also brings in money through keynote speaking engagements, brand partnerships, and his ongoing work in automotive sales and auctioneering.
Estimated Salary & Net Worth
Jon Montgomery has never publicly disclosed his exact salary or net worth. Unlike US-based reality TV hosts, Canadian television salaries aren’t widely reported, and no verified figure exists for his earnings from The Amazing Race Canada. Given his decade-plus run as host, his speaking career, and his automotive business interests, various unofficial estimates place his net worth in the low millions, though these figures should be treated as speculative rather than confirmed.
Assets & Properties
Jon and his family live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Beyond that, specific details about his real estate holdings or vehicle collection haven’t been made public. Given his auctioneering background, it wouldn’t be surprising if he has a soft spot for classic cars.
Investments & Business Ventures
His most consistent business venture remains his automotive sales and auctioneering work in Calgary, which he has maintained alongside his television career. He’s also built a personal brand around speaking engagements, positioning himself as a motivational voice on resilience and adventure.
Media Appearances, Public Image & Controversies
Controversies
Jon Montgomery has kept an unusually clean public record. There are no major scandals attached to his name. His public image remains one of the most positive in Canadian sports and entertainment.
Interesting Facts
- His post-gold-medal beer walk through Whistler Village remains one of the most iconic celebration moments in Canadian Olympic history.
- He appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show following his Olympic win.
- At the Juno Awards, he once auctioned off a phone number belonging to Justin Bieber, drawing on his auctioneering skills for a good cause.
- He was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
- Jon has a maple leaf tattoo over his heart, a permanent tribute to the country he represented on the world stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jon from The Amazing Race Canada? Jon Montgomery is a Canadian Olympic gold medalist in skeleton who became the host of The Amazing Race Canada when the series debuted in 2013.
What is Jon Montgomery famous for? He’s best known for winning gold in skeleton at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, his unforgettable beer-pitcher celebration through Whistler Village, and his long-running role hosting The Amazing Race Canada.
Does Jon Montgomery have kids? Yes. He and his wife, Darla, have two children: a son named Jaxon and a daughter named Lennon.
What was the cause of John J. Montgomery’s death? This question refers to a different person entirely. John J. Montgomery was an early American aviation pioneer who died on October 31, 1911, from injuries sustained in a glider crash. He has no relation to Jon Montgomery, the Canadian Olympic skeleton champion and television host, who is very much alive and continuing to host The Amazing Race Canada.
