Sarah Ferguson

{{Short description|British former royal and author (born 1959)}} {{Other people}} {{Use British English|date=May 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}

{{Infobox person | name = Sarah Ferguson | image = Sarah, Duchess of York, Gahanga Cricket Stadium 1 (October 2017) (cropped).jpg | caption = Ferguson in 2017 | birth_name = Sarah Margaret Ferguson | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|10|15|df=yes}} | birth_place = London, England | education = {{Ubl |Hurst Lodge School |Queen's Secretarial College }} | occupation = {{Hlist|Author|spokesperson|television personality}} | spouse = {{marriage|Prince Andrew, Duke of York|23 July 1986|30 May 1996|end=divorced}} | children = {{Ubl |Princess Beatrice |Princess Eugenie }} | father = Ronald Ferguson | mother = Susan Wright | signature = Signature of Sarah, Duchess of York.png }} '''Sarah Margaret Ferguson''' (born 15 October 1959), formerly '''Sarah, Duchess of York''', and commonly known as '''Fergie''', is a British author, spokesperson, and television personality. She is the ex-wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, Duke of York, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger brother of King Charles III.

Ferguson grew up in Dummer, Hampshire, and attended the Queen's Secretarial College. She later worked for public relations firms in London and for a publishing company. She began a relationship with Andrew in 1985, and they were married on 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey, upon which she became Duchess of York. They have two daughters: Beatrice and Eugenie. Their marriage, separation in 1992, and divorce in 1996 attracted extensive media coverage.

Both during and after her marriage, Ferguson has been involved with several charities, primarily focused on supporting cancer patients and children. She was the patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust from 1990 to 2025 and founded Children in Crisis and Sarah's Trust. She has written several books for children and adults, and has worked on TV and film production.

In the years following her divorce, Ferguson was the subject of various scandals that affected her relationship with the royal family. Her friendship with the American child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein led to the termination of her roles as patron and spokesperson for multiple charities. In October 2025, Ferguson ceased using the courtesy title Duchess of York following Andrew's announcement that he would no longer use his peerage titles.

==Early life== Sarah Margaret Ferguson was born on 15 October 1959 at London Welbeck Hospital, London, the second daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson (1931–2003) and Susan Barrantes (née Wright; 1937–1998).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weir |first=Alison |author-link=Alison Weir |title=Britain's Royal Families: A Complete Genealogy |publisher=Pimlico |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-7126-7448-5 |edition=Revised |location=London |page=333}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=17 March 2003|title=Major Ronald Ferguson dies|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2857115.stm|access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref> She has one older full sister, Jane. After her parents divorced in 1974, her mother married polo player Héctor Barrantes the following year<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 August 1990|title=Hector Barrantes, Duchess of York's Stepfather, 51 – Obituary|work=The New York Times|agency=Reuters|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEEDA103DF931A2575BC0A966958260|access-date=4 May 2010|url-access=limited}}</ref> and moved to Trenque Lauquen in the Argentine pampas. Ferguson remained at the {{convert|480|acre|km2|adj=on}} Dummer Down Farm in Dummer, Hampshire, which had been her father's home since she was eight.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Dennis Barker|date=18 March 2003|title=Obituary: Major Ronald Ferguson, UK news|work=The Guardian|location=UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/monarchy/story/0,2763,916328,00.html#article_continue|access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref><ref name="WP-86">{{Cite news|last=DeYoung|first=Karen|date=22 July 1986|title=Fergie: Bedlam Over the Bride|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/07/22/fergie-bedlam-over-the-bride/e0ddc0f5-6a78-444b-be1b-19b4494acf64/|access-date=9 March 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Major Ferguson married Susan Deptford in 1976, and had three more children: Andrew, Alice, and Elizabeth. Ferguson later said that, at the age of 12, when her parents' marriage began to break down, she developed an eating disorder and "turned to overeating for comfort".<ref name="Guardian-Disorder">{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Paul|date=26 October 2002|title=Fergie: How food became my only friend|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/oct/27/monarchy.paulharris|access-date=25 November 2020|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

Ferguson, known informally as "Fergie", once described her family as "country gentry with a bit of old money". She is a descendant of King Charles II of England through three of his illegitimate children: Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond; James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth;<ref name="Ppl-86">{{Cite magazine|last1=Smith|first1=Terry|last2=Sanderson Healy|first2=Laura|date=7 April 1986|title=Fantastic Fergie|url=http://people.com/archive/cover-story-fantastic-fergie-vol-25-no-14/|magazine=People|access-date=9 March 2018}}</ref> and Anne Lennard, Countess of Sussex. Her wider ancestry is aristocratic; she is the great-great-granddaughter of the 6th Duke of Buccleuch, a great-granddaughter of the 8th Viscount Powerscourt, and a descendant of the 1st Duke of Abercorn and the 4th Duke of Devonshire.<ref name="WP-86" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Regan|first=Mary|date=14 October 2006|title='Duchess of Cork' embraces Irish roots|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20015772.html|access-date=7 December 2020|work=Irish Examiner}}</ref> She is distantly related to her former husband as both are descended from the 4th Duke of Devonshire and from King James VI and I.<ref name="WP-86" />

Ferguson attended Daneshill preparatory school in Stratfield Turgis, Hampshire. Staff at the school described her as a "courageous, bubbly and outgoing little girl".<ref name="WP-86" /> She later attended Hurst Lodge School in Ascot.<ref>David Banks, ''Sarah Ferguson, the royal redhead'' (Dillon Press, 1987), p. 14: "From Daneshill School, she went to a private girls' boarding school called Hurst Lodge."</ref> Although she did not shine academically, she showed talent in swimming and tennis.<ref name="WP-86" /> From a young age, Ferguson developed an interest in skiing and later worked briefly as a chalet girl.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Barcelona|first=Ainhoa|date=11 February 2016|title=Sarah, Duchess of York applies to become permanent resident of Switzerland|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016021129758/sarah-ferguson-applies-residency-switzerland/|access-date=6 December 2020|magazine=Hello!}}</ref> During her teenage years, she worked as both a cleaner and a waitress.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.womanandhome.com/us/life/royal-news/sarah-ferguson-job-prince-andrew-300634/|title=Sarah Ferguson reveals the surprising job she had before marrying Prince Andrew|work=Woman & Home|first=Amy|last=Hunt|date=31 August 2018|access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref> After completing a course at Queen's Secretarial College at the age of 18,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Latest news and profile of Sarah Ferguson|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/sarahferguson/|access-date=4 May 2010|work=Hello!|date=8 October 2009 }}</ref> she took a job at an art gallery.<ref name="WP-86" /> She subsequently worked in two public relations firms in London, followed by a position at a publishing company.<ref name="WP-86" /> Before her marriage, Ferguson dated Kim Smith-Bingham, a stockbroker, and Paddy McNally, a motor racing manager more than 20 years her senior.<ref name="WP-86" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cochrane|first=Kira|date=24 May 2010|title=Why I feel sorry for Sarah Ferguson|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/24/feel-sorry-for-sarah-ferguson|access-date=2 March 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

==Marriage to Andrew== {{further|Wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson|Wedding dress of Sarah Ferguson|Descendants of Elizabeth II#Children of Andrew and Sarah}} thumb|The Duke and Duchess of York on their wedding day

On 19 March 1986, Ferguson and Prince Andrew announced their engagement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History – Prince Andrew's wedding (pictures, video, facts & news)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/events/prince_andrews_wedding|access-date=29 April 2011|publisher=BBC}}</ref> The pair had known each other since childhood, meeting occasionally at polo matches, and were reacquainted at Royal Ascot in 1985.<ref name="WP-86" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 March 2011|title=Iconic Weddings – Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew|url=http://us.hellomagazine.com/brides/201103105087/iconic-weddings/sarah-ferguson/prince-andrew/|access-date=30 January 2015|publisher=Hello.com}}</ref> Before the engagement, Ferguson had accompanied Diana, Princess of Wales, during her official tour of Andrew's ship {{HMS|Brazen|F91|6}}.<ref name="WP-86" /><ref name="Ppl-86" /> Andrew designed the engagement ring himself: ten diamonds set around a Burmese ruby, chosen to complement Ferguson's red hair.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 February 2016|title=Royal Engagement Rings|url=http://www.brilliantearth.com/news/royal-engagement-rings/|access-date=15 May 2018|work=Brilliant Earth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227055445/http://www.brilliantearth.com/news/royal-engagement-rings/|archive-date=27 February 2013}}</ref> Her friendly manner and lively spirit made her a welcome addition to the royal family.<ref name="WP-86" /><ref name="Ppl-86" />

After securing the Queen's consent, which was then required under the Royal Marriages Act 1772 for all descendants of King George II, Ferguson and Andrew were married at Westminster Abbey on 23 July 1986. The Queen bestowed the title Duke of York upon Andrew, and, as his wife, Ferguson automatically gained his royal and ducal status, becoming "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of York". In her new role, she joined the Duke in undertaking royal engagements, including overseas visits.

[[File:The Duke and Duchess of York in Townsville, 1988.jpg|thumb|left|Andrew and Sarah in Townsville, 1988]] In 1987, Ferguson and Andrew undertook a 25-day tour of Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 September 2018|title=Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's relationship and family, in pictures|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/0/prince-andrew-sarah-fergusons-relationship-family-pictures/duke-duchess-york-canada/|access-date=27 October 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In February that year, she passed her private pilot's licence after completing a 40-hour training course paid for by Lord Hanson as a wedding gift, and she was presented with her wings at RAF Benson in December.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 December 1987|title=Duchess of York Fulfills Pledge To Fly Helicopter Like Husband|url=https://apnews.com/article/719fa80fdcda22f2d7c109b0caa7a9f2|access-date=6 December 2020|publisher=Associated Press News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 December 1987|title=Fergie Fulfills Vow, Wins Her Wings as a Helicopter Pilot|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-14-mn-19345-story.html|access-date=6 December 2020|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

On 22 January 1988, during a visit to New York City to attend a fundraising event, Ferguson was attacked by a young man at the entrance of her hotel.<ref name="NY-Attack">{{Cite web|date=22 January 1988|title=Duchess of York Unharmed After Attempted Attack in New York|url=https://apnews.com/d5afa08679c15947249a873c66e4e670|access-date=16 February 2017|publisher=AP News Archive}}</ref> The man, who shouted "murderers 3/8" and carried an Irish Republican Army flag as he rushed towards her, was charged with "attempted assault on the Duchess and assault on a federal agent".<ref name="NY-Attack" /> A State Department press officer later confirmed that "she was unharmed in the incident".<ref name="NY-Attack" />

In March 1988 the couple made a royal tour of California.<ref name="LA-Trip">{{Cite news|date=14 March 1988|title=Fergie, Andy, L.A. Still Loves You|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-14-vw-627-story.html|access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref><ref name=UPIMar88>{{cite news|last=Crane|first=Alice|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/03/07/The-duke-and-duchess-of-York-bid-cheerio-to/6861573714000/|title=The duke and duchess of York bid cheerio to...|date=7 March 1988|work=United Press International|accessdate=25 February 2026}}</ref> Two British newspapers described the trip as a "brash, vulgar, excessive, weak-humored exhibition by two royals".<ref name="LA-Trip" /> City officials in Los Angeles defended the couple, calling the criticism "awful" and offensive, while observers described the Duke and Duchess as friendly and said they had fulfilled their duties.<ref name="LA-Trip" />

The couple's first child, Princess Beatrice, was born on 8 August 1988. Ferguson experienced high blood pressure and excessive water retention during the pregnancy.<ref name="Bea-Birth">{{Cite magazine|last1=Kaufman|first1=Joanne|last2=Cooper|first2=Jonathan|last3=Thorpe-Tracey|first3=Rosemary|date=29 August 1988|title=For Fergie, Mum's the Word|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-for-fergie-mums-the-word-vol-30-no-9/|magazine=People|access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref> In September, she joined Andrew in Australia for an official visit, a decision that drew criticism from the press for leaving her newborn daughter in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Longworth|first=R.C.|date=26 October 1988|title=Fergie Is Returning Home To Baby-Oh, Dear! Now What Will Press|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-10-26-8802100550-story.html|access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref> Their second daughter, Princess Eugenie, was born on 23 March 1990 by caesarean section.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Farrell|first1=Mary H.J.|last2=Cooper|first2=Jonathan|last3=Smith|first3=Terry|last4=Thorpe-Tracey|first4=Rosemary|date=16 April 1990|title=Bringing Baby Home|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-bringing-baby-home-vol-33-no-15/|magazine=People|access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=30 March 1990|title=Royal Couple Unveil Baby and Her Name—Eugenie|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-30-mn-432-story.html|access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref> During her marriage, the tabloid press frequently mocked Ferguson's weight{{Spaced en dash}}which reached {{convert|15|st|10|lb|kg}} (220 lbs) during her first pregnancy{{Spaced en dash}}and labelled her "Duchess of Pork" and "Fat Fergie".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/022007/02252007/261665 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224171721/http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/022007/02252007/261665|archive-date=24 February 2014 |url-status=dead |author=Pam Schmid |title=Painful Past 'Duchess Of Pork' Long Gone |newspaper=The Free Lance–Star |publisher=McClatchy-Tribune News Service |date=25 February 2007}}</ref><ref name="Bea-Birth" /> She vowed to lose weight after Beatrice's birth.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitaker |first=James |date=1 October 1988 |title=I've Lost Two Stone for Andrew says Fergie |pages=7 |work=Daily Mirror}}</ref> In 1989, Ferguson was credited with helping to popularise the Callanetics exercise regime in the United Kingdom after reports that founder Callan Pinckney had given her private tuition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 March 1989 |title=Move Over Fonda |pages=10 |work=Nottingham Evening Post}}</ref> She received praise for her weight loss, as well as some criticism for not gaining enough weight during her second pregnancy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitaker |first=James |date=5 January 1990 |title=Ain't She Thin |pages=1 |work=Daily Mirror}}</ref> Ferguson later said that the press coverage of her weight damaged her self‑esteem and worsened her eating disorder.<ref name="Guardian-Disorder" />

In May 1989, Ferguson undertook an official solo visit to Berlin.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 May 1989|title='Fergie' in Berlin|url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/fergie-in-berlin/article_1b94afb4-71a3-5eff-993f-64b16e744a57.html|access-date=6 December 2020|work=Tulsa World}}</ref>

===Separation and divorce=== Biographer Sarah Bradford wrote that Andrew's duties as a naval officer required long periods away from home.<ref name="Tribune-Divorce">{{Cite news|last=Moseley|first=Ray|date=17 April 1996|title=Andrew-fergie Union: Another Royal Divorce|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/04/17/andrew-fergie-union-another-royal-divorce/|access-date=13 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011163103/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-04-17-9604170192-story.html|archive-date=11 October 2018}}</ref> According to Ferguson, the couple saw each other for only 40 days a year during the first five years of their marriage.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kindelan|first=Katie|date=11 May 2011|title=Sarah Ferguson Reveals Her Road to Recovery in Documentary on OWN, Oprah Winfrey Network|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/sarah-ferguson-reveals-road-recovery-documentary-oprah-winfrey/story?id=13780411|access-date=6 December 2020|publisher=ABC News}}</ref> By 1991, the relationship was under strain, with Ferguson finding life within the royal family increasingly difficult. Her friendship with Texan multimillionaire Steve Wyatt, son of Lynn Wyatt, attracted considerable publicity when photographs{{Spaced en dash}}including one showing Wyatt with Ferguson's infant daughter{{Spaced en dash}}appeared in newspapers in January 1992.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 June 2002|title=Royals, Part 3: Troubled times – 3 June 2002|work=CNN|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/05/29/people.royals.3/|access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref> Ferguson and Andrew announced their separation on 19 March 1992.<ref name="Separation">{{Cite news|date=19 March 1992|title=1992: Fergie and Andrew split|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/19/newsid_2543000/2543667.stm}}</ref> After the announcement, the palace stated that Ferguson would no longer undertake public engagements on behalf of the Queen,<ref name="Separation" /> and the Queen later confirmed that she would not assume responsibility for Ferguson's debts.<ref name="Tribune-Divorce" /> Ferguson established a separate residence from Andrew in 1992, moving to Romenda Lodge on the Wentworth Estate in Surrey.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kenny|first=Peter|date=23 August 1992|title=Duchess of York leaves queen's holiday home|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/08/23/Duchess-of-York-leaves-queens-holiday-home/1411714542400/|access-date=6 December 2020|work=UPI Archives|quote=... she was driven through the gates of her rented home at Romenda Lodge.}}</ref>

[[File:Sarah Ferguson.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|The then-Duchess of York at the Royal Welsh Show, 1991]]

In August 1992, the ''Daily Mirror'' published surreptitiously taken photographs of John Bryan, an American financial manager, kissing Ferguson's toes while she sunbathed topless.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/a-generation-of-men-thought-they-had-to-toe-the-line-3m3f69xqk|title=If only John Bryan had explained the toe-sucking a bit sooner|work=The Times|first=Kevin|last=Maher|date=21 November 2022|access-date=23 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Andersen |first1=Christopher |author-link1=Christopher Andersen |title=William and Kate: A Royal Love Story |date=2011 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4516-2145-7 |page=33 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1M3oGZ7RRH8C&pg=PA33 |access-date=1 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The incident led to widespread public ridicule and contributed to her further estrangement from the royal family.<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 October 1999|title=From outcast to US princess: Fergie at 40|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/474091.stm|access-date=4 May 2010|quote=The infamous toe-sucking incident, which came while Ferguson was still married to Prince Andrew, outraged the British public...}}</ref> The French magazine ''Paris Match'' was later ordered to pay £84,000 in damages for printing the photographs, although the original claim had been for £1.32 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/hunky-prince-is-exposed-to-public-gaze-1447414.html|title='Hunky' Prince is exposed to public gaze|work=The Independent|first=Rhys|last=Williams|date=7 September 1994|access-date=18 July 2022}}</ref> On 28 March 1993, it was announced that a formal separation agreement between Ferguson and Andrew had been finalised, following months of speculation that they might reconcile.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pK5dAAAAIBAJ&dq=prince+andrew+sarah+reconciliation+speculation&pg=PA19&article_id=3346,4904525 |title=No reconciliation for Andrew, Sarah |work=Observer-Reporter |date=29 June 1993 |access-date=17 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 1995, Andrew's aunt Princess Margaret, who had received a bouquet of flowers from Ferguson, reportedly wrote to her: "You have done more to bring shame on the family than could ever have been imagined".<ref name="Margaret">{{Cite news|last=Alderson|first=Andrew|date=7 August 2010|title=Revealed: how the Duchess of York was led to the brink of ruin|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/7932529/Revealed-how-the-Duchess-of-York-was-led-to-the-brink-of-ruin.html|access-date=24 January 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Reports and speculation about a possible reconciliation continued into late 1995,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P1MwAAAAIBAJ&dq=prince+andrew+sarah+spain+wentworth&pg=PA7&article_id=5577,2325148 |title=Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson |work=Kingman Daily Miner |date=13 August 1995 |access-date=17 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> ending when Ferguson and Andrew announced their mutual decision to divorce in April 1996. In the years following the divorce, she said she had received £15,000 a year as a divorce settlement and described her role as a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers as her main "source of income".<ref name="Margaret" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Adam|first=Karla|date=25 May 2010|title=Will Sarah Ferguson's fall from royal favor be permanent this time?|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/24/AR2010052403858.html|access-date=24 January 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Greene|first=Leonard|date=2 June 2010|title=Broke Fergie admits princess complex|newspaper=The New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2010/06/02/broke-fergie-admits-princess-complex/|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> However, senior officials later told ''The Sunday Telegraph'' that the settlement had included £350,000 in cash, £500,000 from the Queen to purchase a house for Ferguson and the children, and a monthly allowance that was estimated to have totalled £500,000 by 2010.<ref name="settlement">{{Cite news|last1=Alderson|first1=Andrew|last2=Mendick|first2=Robert|date=29 May 2010|title=Duchess of York's divorce settlement was worth £3 million|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/7782897/Duchess-of-Yorks-divorce-settlement-was-worth-3-million.html|access-date=24 January 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Ferguson and Andrew shared custody of their children.<ref name="divorced">{{Cite news|last=Glauber|first=Bill|date=17 April 1996|title=Now Fergie gets to walk royal plank Party's over: Attorneys in London announce divorce of Prince Andrew and Sarah, ending their nearly 10-year marriage.|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/04/17/now-fergie-gets-to-walk-royal-plank-partys-over-attorneys-in-london-announce-divorce-of-prince-andrew-and-sarah-ending-their-nearly-10-year-marriage/|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125135050/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-04-17/features/1996108073_1_duchess-fergie-divorce-settlement|url-status=live}}</ref> The decree nisi was granted on 17 April 1996 and the divorce was finalised on 30 May 1996,<ref name="div-ind">{{Cite web |last=Victor |first=Peter |date=17 April 1996 |title=Yorks bring marriage to an end |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/yorks-bring-marriage-to-an-end-1305213.html |access-date=11 December 2020 |work=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 1996 |title=It's Over: Divorce Final for Fergie and Prince Andrew |url=https://apnews.com/article/53e4a388b8571a6bd88a092cd5dfce3f |access-date=11 December 2020 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> after which Ferguson legally retained the style "Her Royal Highness" in the same manner as other divorced peeresses''.'' However, it was announced in April that she had chosen not to use the style and would relinquish it under the terms of the divorce.<ref name="div-ind" /> In accordance with letters patent issued in August 1996 regulating post-divorce royal titles, she formally ceased to be a "Royal Highness".<ref name="letterspatent" />

In November 1996, Ferguson published her autobiography ''Sarah: My Story'' and undertook a promotional tour. During an appearance on a US chat show, she implied that she and Andrew had had an open relationship, saying "He always knew exactly what was going on", and "It's not a one-way street. We respect each other's space."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AmRPAAAAIBAJ&dq=sarah+duchess+sawyer&pg=PA6&article_id=3847,7416925 |title=The new Fergie |work=Toledo Blade |date=22 November 1996 |access-date=19 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ziemer |first=Laurette |date=14 November 1996 |title='Andrew knew about my affairs' Fergie tells American TV viewers |journal=Evening Standard |pages=3}}</ref> In a 2007 interview, reflecting on why they finalised their divorce she said, "I wanted to work; it's not right for a princess of the royal house to be commercial, so Andrew and I decided to make the divorce official so I could go off and get a job."<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Collins|first=Nancy|year=2007|title=Sarah Ferguson: Diana, the Queen and I|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/news/a730/sarah-ferguson-divorce-interview/|access-date=6 December 2020|magazine=Harper's Bazaar}}</ref>

Since the divorce, Ferguson has attended several events with her daughters, including Andrew's investitures into the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of the Garter, as well as Royal Ascot. On such occasions, she is afforded the courtesy of treatment as a member of the royal family.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rayner|first=Gordon|date=19 June 2015|title=Duchess of York completes reconciliation with royal family as she curtseys to the Queen at Ascot|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/11687777/Duchess-of-York-completes-reconciliation-with-Royal-family-as-she-curtseys-to-the-Queen-at-Ascot.html|access-date=9 January 2017|work=The Telegraph|url-access=subscription}}</ref> She hinted at the possibility of remarrying Andrew in several interviews.<ref name="bbc3">{{Cite news|date=16 October 1999|title=Fergie: "Charles abandoned me"|work=BBC News Online|place=London|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/476459.stm|access-date=9 October 2012}}</ref> In August 2013, she was invited to stay at Balmoral Castle with Andrew and their daughters as guests of the Queen, and in September 2013, when asked about the prospect of remarriage, Ferguson said: "He's still my handsome prince, he'll always be my handsome prince."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wilson|first=Christopher|date=12 August 2013|title=Her Majesty requests... the presence of Fergie|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10238819/Her-Majesty-requests...-the-presence-of-Fergie.html|access-date=31 October 2013|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Furness|first=Hannah|date=29 September 2013|title=Duchess of York hints of remarriage to Prince Andrew and says 'he'll always be my prince.'|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10343160/Duchess-of-York-hints-of-remarriage-to-Prince-Andrew-and-says-hell-always-be-my-prince..html|access-date=31 October 2013|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

She was not invited to the 1999 wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones nor the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton,<ref name="bbc3" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=20 February 2011|title=Royal wedding: Couple invite 1,900 guests|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12513620}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Quinn|first=Ben|date=10 May 2011|title=Sarah Ferguson tells Oprah Winfrey: 'Diana and I both weren't there'|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/may/10/oprah-winfrey-sarah-ferguson|access-date=13 May 2015}}</ref> but she did attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. However, she did not receive an invitation to the evening reception at Frogmore House hosted by Prince Charles, and was reportedly "deeply upset" by her exclusion.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Brean|first1=Joseph|date=10 May 2018|title=Sarah, Duchess of York 'deeply upset' over snub from 'inner sanctum' royal wedding party|work=National Post|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/sarah-duchess-of-york-deeply-upset-over-snub-from-inner-sanctum-royal-wedding-party}}</ref>

thumb|Ferguson on Christmas Day 2023 She attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, and was seated beside her daughters, but she was not invited to the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/royals/sarah-ferguson-wore-touching-symbol-safe-journey-queen-elizabeth-funeral/|title=Sarah Ferguson Wore a Touching Symbol of Safe Journey at Queen Elizabeth's Funeral|work=People|first=Aaron|last=Parsley|date=20 September 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65275486|title=Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, not invited to coronation|work=BBC News|first=Sean|last=Goughlan|date=14 April 2023|access-date=17 June 2023}}</ref>

On 25 December 2023, Ferguson joined the royal family for the Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, marking her first attendance at the event since 1992.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sarah-ferguson-duchess-duke-christmas-sandringham-royal-family-b1129187.html | title=Sarah, Duchess of York 'grateful' for royal invite to Sandringham on Christmas Day | work=The Standard | first=Ayan | last=Omar | date=27 December 2023 |access-date=29 January 2025 }}</ref>

The Lord Chamberlain's Office continued to list Ferguson as a member of the royal family until November 2025, alongside other extended family members such as Daniel Chatto and Mike Tindall.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Royal Family|url=https://www.royal.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2025-11/ANNEX%20D%20-%20Royal%20Family%202025%201.pdf|access-date=11 November 2025|publisher=royal.uk|quote=Members of the Royal Family... Annex D - Royal Family}}</ref>

==Personal life after divorce== After the divorce, the British tabloids continued to report on Ferguson's lifestyle. In 1995, a baggage handler at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City pleaded guilty to stealing her diamond necklace and bracelet, valued at $382,000.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 December 1995|title=Jewels Stolen From Duchess of York|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-12-06-mn-10878-story.html|access-date=20 November 2019|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 1996|title=Man Pleads Guilty in Theft of Duchess of York's Diamonds|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/27/nyregion/man-pleads-guilty-in-theft-of-duchess-of-york-s-diamonds.html|access-date=20 November 2019|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited}}</ref>

Her first autobiography, ''My Story'', was published in 1996 and received poor reviews.<ref name="TimesNov96">{{cite news|last1=Bradford|first1=Sarah|title=Sour smell of a royal footnote|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0500825587/TTDA?|access-date=19 August 2025|work=The Times|issue=65743|date=23 November 1996|page=102}}</ref> A second autobiography, ''Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself'', was published in 2011 and addressed her financial difficulties and public challenges.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/19/sarah-ferguson-writes-very-personal-memoir/|title=Sarah Ferguson writes 'very personal' memoir|agency=Associated Press|via=The Washington Times|date=19 May 2011|access-date=20 August 2025}}</ref>

thumb|Ferguson and her daughters in Verbier, 2004 Until 2004, Ferguson and Andrew continued to share the family home, Sunninghill Park in Berkshire.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bates|first=Stephen|date=1 March 2009|title=From royal fairytale to crumbling eyesore: the mystery of Prince Andrew's old home|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/mar/01/sunninghill-park-prince-andrew|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> That year, the he moved to the refurbished Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, which had previously been the residence of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, until her death in 2002. In 2007, Ferguson rented Dolphin House in Englefield Green, less than a mile from Royal Lodge.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Borland|first=Sophie|date=30 January 2008|title=Scented candle starts fire at Fergie's home|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1576995/Scented-candle-starts-fire-at-Fergies-home.html|access-date=21 September 2021|website=The Telegraph|url-access=subscription}}</ref> A small fire in the bathroom at Dolphin House in 2008<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 January 2008|title=Bathroom blaze in Royal household|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/surrey/7217267.stm|access-date=4 August 2018|publisher=BBC}}</ref> led her to vacate the property and move into Royal Lodge with Andrew.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 August 2013|title=Fergie and Andrew will definitely remarry, friends say|url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/fergie-and-andrew-will-definitely-remarry-friends-say-29525971.html|access-date=21 September 2021|work=Irish Independent|via=Telegraph}}</ref>

In 2015, Ferguson was reported to have moved out of Royal Lodge and taken up residence in Verbier, Switzerland, where she and Andrew owned a £13 million chalet.<ref name="Chalet-Lodge">{{Cite news|date=4 August 2015|title=Sarah Ferguson moves to £13 million Alpine home|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/11781899/Sarah-Ferguson-moves-to-13-million-Alpine-home.html|access-date=4 August 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref> She applied for Swiss residency the following year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Finnigan|first=Lexi|date=11 February 2016|title=Sarah Ferguson applies for Swiss residency after moving to her £13m ski chalet|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/12153098/Sarah-Ferguson-applies-for-Swiss-citizenship-after-moving-to-her-13m-ski-chalet.html|access-date=4 August 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As of 2016 she also maintained a rented apartment in Eaton Square, London.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hyde|first=Marina|date=1 April 2016|title=Duchess Fergie's lifestyle makes her app-y|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/lostinshowbiz/2016/apr/01/duchess-fergie-lifestyle-makes-her-app-y|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> In 2025, she sold a townhouse in London's Belgravia for £3.85 million, having purchased it in 2022 for £4.25 million.<ref name="Telegraph-Belgravia">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/10/02/sarah-ferguson-sells-belgravia-home/|title=Duchess of York sells Belgravia home 'for £400k loss'|work=The Telegraph|first=India|last=McTaggart|date=2 October 2025|access-date=29 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006043906/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/10/02/sarah-ferguson-sells-belgravia-home/|archive-date=6 October 2025|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The property had originally been bought as an investment for her daughters and had been rented to a tenant.<ref name="Telegraph-Belgravia"/> She continued to live primarily at Royal Lodge until October 2025, when Buckingham Palace announced that formal notice had been served to Andrew to surrender his lease and that Ferguson would be making her own living arrangements.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7m4yjkp74o|title=Andrew stripped of 'prince' title and will move out of Royal Lodge|work=BBC News|first=Noor|last=Nanji|date=30 October 2025|access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

As one of the victims of the News International phone hacking scandal, which came into public attention in 2006, Ferguson received an undisclosed sum in an out-of-court settlement.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 April 2022 |title=UK Phone Hacking Scandal Fast Facts |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/10/24/world/europe/uk-phone-hacking-scandal-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=26 April 2023 |work=CNN}}</ref> In April 2016, she was named in the Panama Papers.<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 April 2016|title=From Kubrick to Cowell: Panama Papers expose offshore dealings of the stars|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/06/panama-papers-reveal-offshore-dealings-stars}}</ref>

===Debt problems=== In the mid-1990s, Ferguson was reported to have had a £4.2 million deficit in her bank account, which she addressed by undertaking what was described as "a four-year earning spree" in the United States.<ref name="settlement" /><ref name="divorced" />

In 2006, using income from her work as a film producer and writer, she founded Hartmoor LLC in the US.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dorning|first=Ann-Marie|date=30 September 2009|title=Sarah Ferguson: Indebted Duchess Comes Clean|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/sarah-ferguson-duchess-debt/story?id=8925887|access-date=6 December 2020|publisher=ABC News}}</ref> The lifestyle company was intended to support her "career in publishing, media and public speaking".<ref name="Telegraph-debts">{{Cite web|last1=Mendick|first1=Robert|last2=Doran|first2=James|date=3 October 2009|title=Revealed: Duchess of York's US firm collapses with $1m debts|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6257686/Revealed-Duchess-of-Yorks-US-firm-collapses-with-1m-debts.html|access-date=6 December 2020|work=The Telegraph|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Hartmoor collapsed in 2009, leaving Ferguson with debts of £630,000.<ref name="Telegraph-debts" /> Later that year, it emerged that she was in a financial dispute with three firms, and in September she was summoned "to court in the UK for unpaid bills".<ref name="Telegraph-debts" /> By August 2010, reports suggested that she might declare voluntary bankruptcy with debts of around £5 million,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Alderson|first=Andrew|date=7 August 2010|title=The Duchess of York faces bankruptcy over her £5m debts|work=The Sunday Telegraph|location=UK|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7932195/The-Duchess-of-York-faces-bankruptcy-over-her-5m-debts.html|url-status=dead|access-date=8 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812030849/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7932195/The-Duchess-of-York-faces-bankruptcy-over-her-5m-debts.html|archive-date=12 August 2010|url-access=subscription}}</ref> although other sources estimated the figure at closer to £2 million.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Percival|first=Jenny|date=8 August 2010|title=Sarah Ferguson faces bankruptcy after running up debts of millions|work=The Guardian|location=UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/aug/08/sarah-ferguson-bankrupt-debts-millions|access-date=24 May 2010}}</ref>

Email exchanges released in February 2026 suggested that Ferguson might have been lent money by David Rowland and his private bank.<ref name="BBC-Rowland">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1kldw1e0w3o|title=Epstein emails: So-called 'shady financier' was Andrew's 'trusted money man'|work=BBC News|first=Ben|last=King|first2=Sean|last2=Coughlan|date=6 February 2026|access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref> In September 2009, a business contact wrote to financier Epstein stating that Ferguson had travelled to Nepal, "paying for the first class flight with her rowland [''sic''] bank loan."<ref name="BBC-Rowland"/> Reporting in ''The Telegraph'' at the time claimed that Rowland had paid off approximately £85,000 of Ferguson's debts, and that Epstein had settled other debts.<ref name="BBC-Rowland"/>

Ferguson became closely involved with entrepreneur Manuel Fernandez around 2015, publicly appearing with him and investing in his tech start-up vVoosh in 2016, while also joining the board of its affiliated charity.<ref name="Times-Misadventures">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/sarah-ferguson-business-misadventures-jt7q3lhx7|title=Sarah Ferguson's trail of business misadventures revealed|work=The Times|first=Gabriel|last=Pogrund|date=9 November 2025|access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref> Despite her support, vVoosh filed for administration after failing to launch its app, which collapsed without ever launching a product despite receiving more than £1 million in UK government research and development tax credits and raising about £9 million in total.<ref name="BBC-vVoosh">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl6zejp75wo|title=Failed Sarah Ferguson-backed app received £1m taxpayers' money|work=BBC News|first=Ben|last=King|date=6 December 2025|access-date=8 December 2025}}</ref> Fernandez allegedly withdrew large sums and left the country, and the charity never conducted any work and was shut down.<ref name="Times-Misadventures"/> The Charity Commission later began the process of removing the vVoosh Charitable Foundation from the register for not operating and for being more than four-and-a-half years overdue in its reporting.<ref name="BBC-vVoosh"/> Ferguson's involvement included a £36,000 loan from her company Gate Ventures and about 1% ownership via La Luna Investments, one of several struggling or dormant companies she controlled, including Coat Company Productions and Ginger & Moss, the latter of which faced significant debts.<ref name="Times-Misadventures"/> vVoosh owed £50,000 to La Luna Investments.<ref name="BBC-vVoosh"/>

In June 2019, Andrew arranged a private tour of Buckingham Palace for Jay Bloom and Michael Evers, businessmen from the US cryptocurrency mining company Pegasus Group Holdings. This company had agreed to pay Ferguson up to £1.4 million for her role as a "brand ambassador".<ref name="BBC-crypto">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5q05v0q1xo|title=Andrew fixed palace visit for firm with £1.4m deal with ex-wife|work=BBC News|first1=Billy|last1=Kenber|first2=Phil|last2=Kemp|date=1 November 2025|access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> Bloom and Evers were driven in Andrew's car from their Knightsbridge hotel to the Palace. They later attended his Pitch@Palace event at St James's Palace before dining that evening with Ferguson, Andrew, and their daughter Beatrice.<ref name="BBC-crypto"/> Ferguson was promoting Pegasus's plan to use thousands of solar power generators to mine Bitcoin in Arizona, though the project collapsed after acquiring only 615 of the planned 16,000 units and generating just $33,779 (£25,000) in cryptocurrency.<ref name="BBC-crypto"/>

Ferguson earned more than £200,000 from Pegasus, stood to gain a £1.2 million bonus and company shares, and required first-class travel, five-star hotels, and professional stylists for up to four events.<ref name="BBC-crypto"/> She first met Bloom in Las Vegas in 2018 and developed a business friendship that led to meetings at Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, and the Royal Lodge, Windsor.<ref name="BBC-crypto"/> Bloom and Evers regularly visited London in 2019, meeting the York family frequently.<ref name="BBC-crypto"/> Bloom also made a second palace visit in July 2019.<ref name="BBC-crypto"/> In October 2019 Ferguson signed a contract via Alphabet Capital, a British company owned by Adrian Gleave, through which she was paid over £200,000 for Pegasus work.<ref name="BBC-crypto"/> Court documents showed Andrew also received £60,500 traced to Gleave's businesses, though neither explained the payments.<ref name="BBC-crypto"/>

In May 2020, it was reported that Andrew and Ferguson were in a legal dispute over a debt from the 2014 purchase of their Swiss chalet.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=7 May 2020|title=Prince Andrew to face legal case over reported £5m ski chalet debt|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/08/prince-andrew-to-face-legal-case-over-reported-5m-ski-chalet-debt|access-date=9 May 2020|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> They had taken out a mortgage of £13.25 million and were expected to pay the remaining £5 million of the purchase price in cash instalments by the end of 2019;<ref name=":1" /> interest had increased this to £6.8 million.<ref name="Telegraph-Bodkin">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/08/07/sarah-fergusons-5m-mayfair-mews-purchase-outrages-chalet-owner/|title=Sarah Ferguson's £5m Mayfair mews purchase 'outrages' chalet owner burned by the Yorks|work=The Telegraph|first=Henry|last=Bodkin|date=7 August 2022|access-date=8 August 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Despite reports that the Queen would assist them, a spokesperson for Andrew confirmed that she "will not be stepping in to settle the debt".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Badshah|first=Nadeem|date=1 June 2020|title=Queen will not pick up chalet debt, says Prince Andrew|work=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/queen-will-not-pick-up-andrews-chalet-debt-zpphcdvmk?region=global%2Cglobal|access-date=1 June 2020|url-access=subscription}}</ref> ''The Times'' reported in September 2021 that Ferguson and Andrew had reached a legal agreement with the property's previous owner, and would sell the house to pay back their debt.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Nicholl|first1=Katie|last2=Vanderhoof|first2=Erin|date=28 September 2021|title=Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson Have Solved One Big Financial Woe|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/09/prince-andrew-and-sarah-ferguson-ski-chalet-sale|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> The owner agreed to receive £3.4 million, half of the amount that she was owed, as she had been under impression that Ferguson and Andrew were dealing with financial troubles.<ref name="Telegraph-Bodkin"/>

===Jeffrey Epstein ties=== In March 2011, it was reported that Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, had helped Ferguson avoid bankruptcy by paying £15,000 to an employee to whom she owed money.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ward |first=Vicky |date=22 September 2019 |title=New details reveal acrimonious split between Epstein and Duke of York |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/21/politics/epstein-prince-andrew-lawsuit-defamation |access-date=14 August 2025 |work=CNN}}</ref> The payments were reportedly made after intervention from Andrew, who had a close friendship with Epstein for which he came under scrutiny in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |date=6 March 2011 |title=Duke of York 'appealed to Jeffrey Epstein to help Duchess pay debt' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8365020/Duke-of-York-appealed-to-Jeffrey-Epstein-to-help-Duchess-pay-debt.html |url-access=subscription |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}</ref> On 7 March 2011, she admitted getting money from Epstein and called it a "gigantic error of judgment".<ref>{{cite news|title=Sarah Ferguson described Epstein as 'brother she always wished for' |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2026-02-01/sarah-ferguson-described-epstein-as-brother-she-always-wished-for |website=ITV News |access-date=3 February 2026 |date=1 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2011 |title=Prince Andrew: Envoy career plagued with controversy |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-12663378 |access-date=5 March 2021 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In the summer of 2011, ''Finding Sarah'' aired on the OWN network. One episode of the US-filmed reality series depicted Ferguson meeting with Suze Orman, the internationally known financial advisor, receiving from Orman a strict lecture and practical advice on how to resolve her financial issues.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stanley |first=Alessandra |date=9 June 2011 |title=You Can Feel Her Pain |url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2011/06/10/arts/television/finding-sarah-with-sarah-ferguson-on-own-review.html |url-access=limited |access-date=30 September 2013 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Juan Alessi, a staff member at Epstein's Florida residence for 12 years, said in an unsealed deposition that he believed Ferguson visited "only once and for a short time".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ross |first1=Alex |last2=Dodds |first2=Io |date=6 January 2024 |title=The Epstein List: Full list of names revealed in unsealed court records so far |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/jeffrey-epstein-maxwell-prince-andrew-b2473096.html |access-date=6 January 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Delouya |first1=Samantha |last2=Winter |first2=Jeff |last3=del |first3=Lauren |date=5 January 2024 |title=Third batch of Jeffrey Epstein documents unsealed |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/05/business/jeffrey-epstein-documents-unsealed-part-three/index.html |access-date=6 January 2024 |work=CNN Business |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 January 2024 |title=Prince Andrew had 'daily massages' when visiting Jeffrey Epstein's estate, according to housekeeper |url=https://news.sky.com/story/prince-andrew-had-daily-massages-when-visiting-jeffrey-epsteins-estate-according-to-housekeeper-13042871 |access-date=6 January 2024 |work=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2025, newspapers published emails showing that Ferguson had contacted Epstein in April 2011, despite her public statement in March 2011 that she had severed all ties with him.<ref name="Telegraph-email">{{cite news |last=Furness |first=Hannah |date=20 September 2025 |title=Duchess of York wrote to 'supreme friend' Epstein after vow to cut contact |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/20/duchess-of-york-sarah-ferguson-epstein-letter-conviction/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250920230332/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/20/duchess-of-york-sarah-ferguson-epstein-letter-conviction/ |archive-date=20 September 2025 |access-date=20 September 2025 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> In the email, she wrote that Epstein was a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend" and said she must "humbly apologise" for her earlier remarks. According to her spokesperson, the apology followed what was described as a "Hannibal Lecter-style" phone call in which Epstein threatened to "destroy" her.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mendick |first=Robert |date=23 September 2025 |title=Epstein threatened to destroy Duchess of York in 'Hannibal Lecter-like' call |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/23/jeffrey-epstein-duchess-york-phone-call-legal-action-threat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004223351/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/23/jeffrey-epstein-duchess-york-phone-call-legal-action-threat/ |archive-date=4 October 2025 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> Following renewed scrutiny prompted by the email's publication, seven charities, of which Ferguson was patron or ambassador (namely the Teenage Cancer Trust, Julia's House, Prevent Breast Cancer, the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the Children's Literacy Charity, British Heart Foundation, and the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals), individually announced or confirmed that they had ended their association with her.<ref name="BBC-charities25">{{cite news |last=Coughlan |first=Sean |date=21 September 2025 |title=Sarah Ferguson dropped from multiple charities over Epstein email |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddmr6v0jpzo |access-date=22 September 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rawlinson |first1=Kevin |last2=Vinter |first2=Robyn |date=22 September 2025 |title=More charities cut ties with Sarah Ferguson over message to Jeffrey Epstein |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/22/charity-cuts-ties-sarah-ferguson-message-jeffrey-epstein |access-date=22 September 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

In October 2025, ''The Mail on Sunday'' reported on leaked emails between Epstein and his lawyer in 2011 suggesting that Ferguson had celebrated Epstein's release from jail in 2009 by visiting him in New York, where she had taken her young daughters with her.<ref name="LBC-Oct25">{{cite news|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/prince-andrew-sarah-ferguson-epstein-royals-5HjdFbr_2/|title=Disgraced Andrew axes Sarah Ferguson's birthday party as leaked emails claim Epstein 'bankrolled her for 15 years'|first=Henry|last=Moore|date=19 October 2025|access-date=19 October 2025}}</ref> A representative for Ferguson stated that neither she nor her daughters had any recollection of such a visit.<ref name="Telegraph-Oct25">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/19/sarah-ferguson-princesses-epstein-visitors-after-jail/|title=Sarah Ferguson and princesses 'visited Epstein after he left prison'|work=The Telegraph|first=Victoria|last=Ward|date=19 October 2025|access-date=19 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019151931/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/19/sarah-ferguson-princesses-epstein-visitors-after-jail/|archive-date=19 October 2025|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> However, email exchanges between Epstein and his assistant in July 2009 showed that the latter had bought "British Airways" flights for "the Duchess", totalling "for all tickets: $14,080.10", with another email detailing out a lunch meeting at Epstein's mansion in the same month to which Ferguson intended to be accompanied by her daughters.<ref name="BBC-3Feb26">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g3vg87xv3o|title=Sarah Ferguson emailed Epstein while he was in prison for child sex offence, documents suggest|work=BBC News|first=Chi Chi|last=Izundu|first2=Olivia|last2=Davies|date=3 February 2026|access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref> Another email sent by Ferguson in January 2010 reportedly showed that she was seeking more than the £15,000 she had previously admitted to taking, as she had asked for "50 or 100,000 US dollars to help get through the small bills that are pushing me over".<ref name="Telegraph-Oct25"/> An email sent by Epstein to a friend after Ferguson had publicly distanced herself from him in March 2011 implied that Epstein had bankrolled her for over 15 years.<ref name="LBC-Oct25"/><ref name="Telegraph-Oct25"/>

In January 2026, documents released as part of the Epstein files included email exchanges between Ferguson and Epstein dating from April 2009, when he was under house arrest. In one message, she asked whether there was "any chance on my quick layover [in Palm Beach], that I can get to have a quick cup of tea..." to discuss ideas for her company, Mother's Army, and addressed Epstein as "My dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey. You are a legend, and I am so proud of you".<ref name="BBC-Jan26">{{cite news |title=Photos released in Epstein files appear to show Andrew on all fours over female|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g5490xmkeo|work=BBC News|date=30 January 2026|access-date=31 January 2026|last=McArthur|first=Tom|first2=Rachel Muller|last2=Heyndyk|first3=Chi Chi|last3=Izundu}}</ref> In June 2009, she emailed him to ask for his advice on how to "start The Mothers Army company so it can be commercial".<ref name="BBC-3Feb26"/> Mothers Army was set up as a company by Ferguson "to help amplify the voices of Mothers all over the world".<ref name="BBC-3Feb26"/> A further exchange in August 2009 shows Ferguson writing again to discuss "my Sarah Ferguson Brand" and thanking him "for being the brother I have always wished for".<ref name="BBC-Jan26"/> In September, she wrote to him about one woman: "You can marry her too. She is single and [''sic''] a great body. Ok well marry me and then we will employ her".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/02/03/sarah-ferguson-epstein-files-goddaughter/|title=Sarah Ferguson asked Epstein to find ‘pretty’ goddaughter a job|work=The Telegraph|first=Daniel|last=Bates|date=3 February 2026|access-date=4 February 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In October that year, she sought his assistance with her financial difficulties, writing: "I urgently need 20,000 pounds for rent today. The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don't pay. Any brainwaves?"<ref name="Guardian-Jan26">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/31/she-needs-to-fix-it-jeffrey-epsteins-plot-to-win-redemption-via-sarah-ferguson|title=‘She needs to fix it’: Jeffrey Epstein’s plot to win redemption via Sarah Ferguson|work=The Guardian|first=Geraldine|last=McKelvie|date=31 January 2026|access-date=31 January 2026}}</ref> Ferguson and Epstein also discussed her potential personal bankruptcy in a 2009 email chain with businessman David Stern.<ref name=BBCFeb112026>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8ln9jj92yo|title=Sarah Ferguson asked Epstein for bankruptcy advice while he was in jail, emails suggest|date=11 February 2026|work=BBC News|access-date=11 February 2026}}</ref> On 30 January 2010, she emailed Epstein saying, "I am at your service. Just marry me".<ref>{{cite news|title=Sarah Ferguson's charity to close after Epstein revelations |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sarah-fergusons-charity-to-close-after-epstein-revelations-13502540 |website=Sky News |access-date=3 February 2026 |date=3 February 2026}}</ref> In March 2010, a "Sarah" appeared to refer to Eugenie's love life in response to an email from Epstein, stating she was "Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a shagging weekend!!".<ref name="BBC-MBB">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddgv9nvj9zo|title='Marry me' and Epstein's 'baby boy' - key Sarah Ferguson revelations in emails|work=BBC News|first=Noor|last=Nanji|first2=Jamie|last2=Whitehead|date=3 February 2026|access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8r5pjlgv7o|title=Their parents are in disgrace - what now for Beatrice and Eugenie?|work=BBC News|first=Noor|last=Nanji|first2=Doug|last2=Faulkner|date=6 February 2026|access-date=8 February 2026}}</ref> In July 2010, Epstein asked whether there was "any chance of your daughters saying hello" to his god-daughter Celina; Ferguson replied that Beatrice was in London with Andrew, though it is unclear whether any meeting took place.<ref name="Guardian-Jan26"/><ref name="BBC-MBB"/> On 21 September 2011, she sent an email congratulating Epstein on the birth of a boy, adding that she was "here with love, friendship and congratualtions [''sic'']".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/02/jeffrey-epstein-file-release-secret-child-sarah-ferguson/|title=Epstein had a secret child, emails claim|work=The Telegraph|first=Kieran|last=Kelly|date=2 February 2026|access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref>

===Cash for access=== In May 2010, Ferguson was filmed by the ''News of the World'' offering Mazher Mahmood, an undercover reporter posing as an Indian businessman, access to Andrew (who was Special Representative for International Trade and Investment) for £500,000.<ref name="TimesX">{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Sadie|date=23 May 2010|title=Duchess of York 'devastated' by tabloid sting|work=The Times|location=UK|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7134347.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531171225/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7134347.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 May 2010|access-date=23 May 2010}}</ref> On the video made as a documentary source for the story, which is publicly available, Ferguson is heard to say, "£500,000 when you can, to me, open doors".<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 May 2010|title=Duchess of York 'wanted cash for Prince Andrew access'|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8699139.stm|access-date=23 May 2010}}</ref> She is seen taking away a briefcase containing £40,000 in cash. Exposure surrounding the cash for access incident increased her public profile and notoriety.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 May 2010|title=Ex-U.K. royal 'sorry' amid cash-for-access sting|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna37298950|access-date=21 November 2020|publisher=NBC News}}</ref>

Sterling Publishers substantially increased the print run of ''Ashley Learns About Strangers'', Sarah's latest book for children; however, the notoriety did not translate into additional book sales.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 May 2010|title=Duchess of York – Debt Swallowing Fergie?|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/ledgerpop/article_272632084.shtml|access-date=3 June 2010|work=National Ledger}}</ref> In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, titled ''Oprah and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York'', Ferguson explained her behaviour by saying that she had been drinking prior to soliciting the cash, and was "in the gutter at that moment".<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 June 2010|title=Ferguson Drinking Admission – Fergie 'In the Gutter' on Video|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/ledgerdc/article_272632105.shtml|access-date=3 June 2010|work=National Ledger}}</ref> She also claimed that her intention was initially to help a friend who "needed $38,000 (£28,000) urgently" but she ultimately asked for more money due to her own financial problems.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 June 2010|title='Out of control' Sarah Ferguson tells Oprah she needed money to help out friend|url=https://us.hellomagazine.com/royalty/201006023625/sarah-ferguson/oprah-winfrey/interview-friend/|access-date=11 May 2018|publisher=Hello!}}</ref>

In November 2016, it was reported that Ferguson intended to sue News Group Newspapers (parent company of the ''News of the World'') and its owner Rupert Murdoch for £25 million in damages citing her "loss in earnings" as well as the subsequent "distress" that the media sting brought to her as the main reasons.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Davies|first=Caroline|date=20 November 2016|title=Duchess of York seeks £25m damages over Mazher Mahmood sting|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/20/duchess-of-york-damages-mazher-mahmood-sting|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> In January 2018, it was reported that the actual amount Ferguson was seeking was £45 million.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rawlinson|first=Kevin|date=21 January 2018|title=Sarah Ferguson claims £45m in damages from Murdoch's News Group|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/21/sarah-ferguson-claims-45m-in-damages-from-murdochs-news-group|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref>

In March 2022 it was reported that the wife of jailed Turkish politician İlhan İşbilen alleged that Ferguson received at least £225,000 from businessman Selman Turk, whom Mrs İşbilen is suing for fraud.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prince Andrew took £1 million from Turkish 'fraudster' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/03/31/duke-york-took-1m-turkish-fraudster/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |first1=Hayley |last1=Dixon |first2=Robert |last2=Mendick |first3=Victoria |last3=Ward |date=31 March 2022 |access-date=1 April 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> An additional £25,000 was sent by Turk in October 2019 to the bank account of Ferguson's younger daughter, Eugenie, the second instalment of which was referenced "birthday gift", reportedly "to pay for a surprise birthday party for the Duchess".<ref name="Telegraph-Turk">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/04/01/princess-beatrice-eugenie-prince-andrew-fraud-money-news/|title=Exclusive: Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie received money from Turkish 'fraudster' linked to Prince Andrew|work=The Telegraph|first1=Hayley|last1=Dixon|first2=Victoria|last2=Ward|first3=Robert|last3=Mendick|date=1 April 2022|access-date=3 April 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Ferguson was owed £225,000 by Pegasus Group Holdings for her role as brand ambassador, but she received the full amount from Turk, who was then set to reclaim the money from Pegasus.<ref name="Telegraph-Turk"/>

===2012 Turkey legal incident=== On 13 January 2012, the Ministry of Justice of Turkey issued an international arrest warrant for Ferguson. She had travelled to Turkey in 2008 and covertly filmed a Turkish state orphanage. The Turkish authorities alleged that Ferguson made a false declaration when entering the country (in regard to her motives for visiting Turkey), trespassed into a Turkish Government institution, and also invaded the privacy of children.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 January 2012|title=Fergie Charged Over Turkish Documentary|publisher=Sky News|url=http://news.sky.com/story/fergie-charged-over-turkish-documentary-10482063|access-date=8 January 2017}}</ref> These charges carry sentences of up to 22 years imprisonment. Turkey and Britain have an extradition treaty; however, Home Office officials have stated:<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rayner|first=Gordon|date=13 January 2012|title=Duchess of York evades extradition over TV row|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9013830/Duchess-of-York-evades-extradition-over-TV-row.html|url-access=subscription}}</ref> {{Blockquote|text=Under UK extradition law a judge must order the discharge of [an extradition request] if it is not an offence under UK law and in the country requesting extradition. In this case there is no offence in UK law so there will be no extradition.}}

Turkey maintains that Ferguson distorted information about the orphanage and used an isolated incident in a smear campaign against the Republic of Turkey. Turkey invited international human rights organisations to inspect any orphanage of its choosing to show its transparency in relation to the issue.<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 January 2012|title=Duchess of York cancels U.S. trip, raises questions|work=CNN|first=Max|last=Foster|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/16/world/europe/turkey-us-duchess-film|access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Wardrop|first=Murray|date=16 January 2012|title=Turkish government presses ahead with case against Duchess of York despite extradition doubts|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9016374/Turkish-government-presses-ahead-with-case-against-Duchess-of-York-despite-extradition-doubts.html|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

On 5 May 2012, the trial began into the charges brought by the Ankara State Prosecutor's office. Cansu Şahin, representing Ferguson, who was not present, told the Ankara court that her client has apologised and would like to plea-bargain with the prosecution.<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 May 2012|title=Fergie scrambles over doco charge|publisher=News.com.au|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/fergie-in-spot-of-bother-over-film/story-fn7mjoe2-1226347359337|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-date=9 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609063740/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/fergie-in-spot-of-bother-over-film/story-fn7mjoe2-1226347359337|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=5 May 2012|title=Duchess of York on trial for filming orphanages in Turkey|url=http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/05/05/234-Duchess-of-York-on-trial-for-filming-orphanages-in-Turkey-.html|access-date=8 January 2017|work=News Track India}}</ref>

===Health=== In June 2023, it was announced that Ferguson had been diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer following a routine mammogram. She successfully underwent a single mastectomy at King Edward VII's Hospital, and her doctors stated her prognosis as "good".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66014781|title=Duchess of York recovering after breast cancer operation|work=BBC News|first=Sean|last=Seddon|date=25 June 2023|access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/sarah-ferguson-breast-cancer-mastectomy-b2364131.html|title=Sarah Ferguson details undergoing mastectomy to treat breast cancer: 'It was only a shadow'|work=The Independent|first=Kate|last=Ng|date=26 June 2023|access-date=26 June 2023}}</ref> She also underwent reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66396605|title=Sarah Ferguson: Duchess of York names reconstructed breast 'Derek'|work=BBC News|first=Charlene Anne|last=Rodrigues|date=3 August 2023|access-date=21 January 2024}}</ref>

In January 2024, it was announced that Ferguson had been diagnosed with melanoma after having several moles removed for analysis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/sarah-ferguson-duchess-of-york-diagnosed-with-skin-cancer-13053559|title=Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, diagnosed with skin cancer|work=Sky News|first=James|last=Robinson|date=21 January 2023|access-date=21 January 2023}}</ref>

==Charity work== Since her marriage, and continuing after the divorce, Ferguson has been involved with a number of charities.

From 1990 until 2025, Ferguson served as patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Over those years, she opened many of the charity's specialist units, including those at Middlesex Hospital, University College London, St James's University Hospital, Cardiff University Hospital and Royal Marsden Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 August 2014|title=Patrons|url=https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/about-us/our-story/people/patrons|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Teenage Cancer Trust}}</ref> She began her work with people suffering from motor neurone disease in the 1990s. In her capacity as patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, she promoted fundraising campaigns for research about the disease and later became president of the International Alliance for ALS.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 April 1991|title=The Duchess of York, patron of the Motor Neuron Disease Association, arriving at Brunel University, west London to launch Motor neurone Disease week- a nation-wide fund raising and public awareness campaign.|url=https://www.alamy.com/the-duchess-of-york-patron-of-the-motor-neuron-disease-association-arriving-at-brunel-university-west-london-to-launch-motor-neurone-disease-week-a-nation-wide-fund-raising-and-public-awareness-campaign-image380481790.html|access-date=6 December 2020|work=Alamy}}</ref><ref name="Span-1994">{{Cite web|date=7 December 1994|title=Duchess of York Philanthropies|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?62015-1/duchess-york-philanthropies&playEvent#!|access-date=6 December 2020|publisher=C-SPAN}}</ref> To help and support those affected by drug misuse, she joined therapy sessions at the Chemical Dependency Centre and was later made their patron.<ref name="Span-1994" /> In 1993, Ferguson founded Children in Crisis, a children's charity focused on education and grant making to international programmes. She serves as founder and life president.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Trustees, Presidents and Patrons|url=http://www.childrenincrisis.org/About-Us/Trustees-and-Donors/Trustees|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Children in Crisis}}</ref> She founded the charity after meeting a young cancer victim named Ania during her visit to Poland in 1992.<ref name="Standard-Essay">{{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Sarah|date=13 July 2018|title=Sarah Ferguson: Street Child can take the work I started 25 years ago to even more children|newspaper=London Evening Standard|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/street-child-can-take-the-work-i-started-25-years-ago-to-even-more-children-a3886696.html|access-date=13 July 2018}}</ref>

In December 1994, Ferguson went to the US to take part in a fundraising event for Peace Links and to launch her own charity, Chances for Children, in the US.<ref name="WP-1994">{{Cite web|last1=Roberts|first1=Roxanne|last2=Gribble|first2=Bebe|date=7 December 1994|title=The Duchess of York, Finding Her Niche|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/12/07/the-duchess-of-york-finding-her-niche/2ca5934e-6f69-43ce-8fd7-739fd8b9c910/|access-date=6 December 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Her decision to launch a fundraising event for her charity in the US was criticised by the British press, who claimed that through her ''Budgie the Little Helicopter'' series she was "expected to earn 400 million pounds over the next five years, with 3 million pounds a year going into her royal pocket" despite her promise to donate part of her earnings to charity.<ref name="WP-1994" /> The claims were denied by Ferguson's representative,<ref name="WP-1994" /> and she later responded to the criticism by saying, "What you all must understand is that the Budgie books were produced in 1987. That's when I gave a large percentage to charity. ... And maybe after costs, after the animation is made, after everything else and the popcorn and everything else, then perhaps in five to ten years, maybe I might receive a little bit of my percentage, and that I hope will be at that time going back into Chances for Children".<ref name="Span-1994" /> "Little Red", the doll that was used as a logo for her American charity, later inspired her to write a series of books named after the doll. The proceeds from selling the doll also went to Chances for Children.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morales|first=Tatiana|date=22 September 2003|title=Duchess Pens Story Of 'Little Red'|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/duchess-pens-story-of-little-red/|access-date=6 December 2020|work=CBS News}}</ref>

[[File:Vivian-Pinn-and-Duchess-of-York.jpg|thumb|Ferguson and Vivian Pinn, NIH associate director for women's health, at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, June 1998]] In June 1998, Ferguson made a brief trip to Bethesda to receive an award from the Journal of Women's Health.<ref name="NIH-June">{{Cite web|last=Roa|first=Gregory|date=28 July 1998|title=Fergie Gets Royal Treatment at NIH|url=http://nihrecord.nih.gov/newsletters/07_28_98/story05.htm|access-date=11 January 2017|publisher=National Institutes of Health|agency=Department of Health and Human Services|issue=28 July 1998|archive-date=2 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102171920/https://nihrecord.nih.gov/newsletters/07_28_98/story05.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> She also visited the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center.<ref name="NIH-June" /> NIH associate director for communications said, "The Duchess has many opportunities to talk to women via television, at lectures and through print media interviews" and was interested "in learning from NIH scientists what major health messages she should deliver to women, based on the research conducted through NIH."<ref name="NIH-June" /> Ferguson, whose elder daughter Beatrice was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of seven, became a patron of Springboard for Children, a charity that helps students who struggle with reading and writing.<ref name="Dys">{{Cite web|date=22 March 2005|title=Princess Beatrice 'has dyslexia'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/4372805.stm|access-date=16 March 2018|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Ferguson has also described herself as "a little bit dyslexic".<ref name="Dys" />

[[File:Sarah Ferguson (1).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|left|Ferguson at The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 2005 Fashion Show, in her role as ambassador of The Heart Truth]] In 2003, Ferguson joined the American Cancer Society at a congressional briefing. She was a founding supporter of the American Cancer Society's Great American Weigh In,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The American Cancer Society's Great American Weigh In|url=http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_2_1x_Nation_Hits_the_Scales_for_the_First_American_Cancer_Society_Great_American_Weigh_Insupsmsup.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331073209/http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_2_1x_Nation_Hits_the_Scales_for_the_First_American_Cancer_Society_Great_American_Weigh_Insupsmsup.asp|archive-date=31 March 2008|access-date=8 January 2017|publisher=American Cancer Society}}</ref> an annual campaign (modelled after the Society's Great American Smoke Out) aimed at raising awareness of the link between excess weight and cancer.

In 2004, Ferguson was named the official spokesperson of SOS Children's Villages – USA and in 2005 she became a global ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Ferguson|url=https://www.sos-usa.org/About-SOS/what-is-sos/sos-supporters/Sarah-Ferguson/Pages/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918075157/https://www.sos-usa.org/About-SOS/what-is-sos/sos-supporters/Sarah-Ferguson/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=18 September 2008|access-date=6 December 2020|publisher=SOS Children's Villages – USA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Celebrity Support|url=http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/values/place/community_giving/wcd/celebrity.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130085921/http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/values/place/community_giving/wcd/celebrity.html|archive-date=30 November 2006|access-date=6 December 2020|publisher=McDonald's Corporation}}</ref> In 2006, she established The Sarah Ferguson Foundation<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 September 2009|title=The Sarah Ferguson Foundation|url=http://www.sarahfergusonfoundation.org/|access-date=4 May 2010|publisher=The Sarah Ferguson Foundation|archive-date=29 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110729192325/http://www.sarahfergusonfoundation.org/|url-status=usurped}}</ref> based in Toronto, which derived funds from Ferguson's commercial work and private donations with the aim of supporting charities internationally that serve children and families in dire need. Included under this umbrella organisation was her patronage and support of several British charities, including Mental Disability Rights International, the African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, Tommy's, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and CARE International.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sarah, Duchess of York|work=The Huffington Post|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/sarah-duchess-of-york|access-date=8 January 2017}}</ref> In 2009, it was reported that despite its income of £250,000 over 18 months, the foundation had spent only £14,200 on grants, £6,300 of which was given to the charitable arm of a South African private game reserve owned by Sir Richard Branson, a friend of Ferguson's. Following the report, the foundation released a list that showed they spent around $400,000 on donations in 2008.<ref name="Telegraph-debts" />

In 2007, Ferguson joined the Advisory Council of the Ophelia Project, an American initiative aimed to support people dealing with relational and other non-physical forms of aggression.<ref name="Zayed-2008">{{Cite web|year=2008|title=Women as Global Leaders: Sarah Ferguson|url=https://www.zu.ac.ae/leadership2008/ferguson.html|access-date=3 March 2021|publisher=Zayed University}}</ref> In 2008, Ferguson became patron of Humanitas, a charity focused on providing children with education, healthcare and family support.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Patrons|url=https://www.humanitascharity.org/patrons|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Humanitas}}</ref> In the same year, she became an ambassador for New York mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-poverty campaign.<ref name="Middlesex-2009">{{Cite web|year=2009|title=Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York: The Road to Authentic Life|url=https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/Profiles/archives/Spring_09/PDF/Profiles_sp09_1.pdf|access-date=3 March 2021|publisher=Middlesex Community College}}</ref> In 2010, Ferguson became a supporter of the Mullany Fund,<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=http://themullanyfund.org/about-us.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109022021/http://themullanyfund.org/about-us.html|archive-date=9 January 2017|access-date=8 January 2017|publisher=The Mullany Fund}}</ref> whose aim is to support British students wishing to study medicine or physiotherapy. In 2011, Ferguson became the global ambassador for Not For Sale, a charity focused on human slavery.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CONFIRMED: The Duchess of York will Speak at the Global Forum|url=http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/news/2011/10/14/confirmed-the-duchess-of-york-will-speak-at-the-global-forum/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528011453/http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/news/2011/10/14/confirmed-the-duchess-of-york-will-speak-at-the-global-forum/|archive-date=28 May 2014|work=Not for Sale}}</ref> In 2013, Ferguson, along with her former husband and their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, founded Key To Freedom, a business structure for women in vulnerable situations in India who can sell their wares through the British retailer Topshop. In 2014, Ferguson was appointed an ambassador for the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 March 2014|title=Duchess of York on food fight|url=http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.811&article=129158|access-date=8 January 2017|work=TV3.ie – Xposé Entertainment}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Potempa|first=Philip|date=2 May 2015|title=Royal subjects: Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson opens up about life outside of castle walls|work=nwitimes.com|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/lifestyles/leisure/royal-subjects-duchess-of-york-sarah-ferguson-opens-up-about/article_d3708e41-b4af-5f99-8b53-082f41d567a4.html|access-date=8 January 2017}}</ref> In 2015, Ferguson revealed her connection with India and polo when she attended as a chief guest of HVR Baroda Cup in New Delhi under the invitation of Harshavardhan Reddy, chairman of HVR Sports.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhatial|first=Saloni|date=14 November 2015|title=Asharaje Gaekwad hosts HVR Baroda Cup Polo tournament at the Jaipur Polo Grounds in Delhi|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/delhi/Asharaje-Gaekwad-hosts-HVR-Baroda-Cup-Polo-tournament-at-the-Jaipur-Polo-Grounds-in-Delhi/articleshow/49769811.cms|access-date=8 January 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Heather Melville OBE.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Ferguson with Heather Melville and Marcis Skadmanis in Lancaster House, London, June 2017]] In 2016, Ferguson collaborated with British contemporary artist Teddy McDonald and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, to create the first Royal contemporary painting. Titled Royal Love, it was painted on the lawn of Royal Lodge and features positive thoughts and quotes by Ferguson and the princesses. The painting was exhibited in London at the Masterpiece Art Fair, Chelsea in June/July 2016 and later auctioned at private dinner. The proceeds from the sale of the painting were donated by McDonald to the charity Children in Crisis. British ''GQ'' magazine published an exclusive on the creation of the painting.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Quilty-Harper|first=Conrad|date=3 June 2016|title=Teddy McDonald on The Creation of 'Royal Love' with The Duchess of York and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie|url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/teddy-m-royal-love|access-date=15 January 2017|work=GQ Magazine}}</ref> In 2017, Ferguson was joined by her daughter Eugenie to mark the second anniversary of the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Victoria|last=Howard|title=Teenage Cancer Trust unit celebrates 2nd birthday with Eugenie & Sarah|url=https://www.thecrownchronicles.co.uk/royal-news/teenage-cancer-trust-unit-celebrates-2nd-birthday-eugenie-sarah/|access-date=12 February 2018|website=The Crown Chronicles|date=13 September 2017 }}</ref>

On the 25th anniversary of Children in Crisis's foundation in 2018, Ferguson said that working with this charity "gave her a sense of perspective and purpose during tough times".<ref name="StreetC-2018">{{Cite web|last=Prynn|first=Jonathan|date=13 July 2018|title=Sarah Ferguson hails 25 years of Children in Crisis charity: 'It saved my life'|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sarah-ferguson-hails-25-years-of-children-in-crisis-charity-it-saved-my-life-a3886641.html|access-date=13 July 2018|publisher=Evening Standard}}</ref> She merged her charity foundation with Street Child, an organisation run by Tom Dannatt in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, of which Ferguson has become a patron,<ref name="StreetC-2018" /> and her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, are the ambassadors.<ref name="Standard-Essay" />

From June 2019 until September 2025, Ferguson served as patron of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, an organisation established in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 after suffering an allergic reaction to a baguette.<ref>{{cite web |title=Natasha's Allergies |url=https://www.narf.org.uk/natashas-allergies |access-date=22 September 2025 |website=Natasha Allergy Research Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cobham |first=Tara |date=22 September 2025 |title=Duchess of York dropped by charities over Epstein email |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/duchess-of-york-jeffrey-epstein-email-sarah-ferguson-b2831254.html |access-date=22 September 2025 |work=The Independent}}</ref> She became an ambassador for the technology infrastructure company Pegasus Group Holdings. Ferguson was chosen to initiate "the company's philanthropic endeavors" as they develop an "off-grid renewable energy data center".<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 July 2019|title=Pegasus Group Holdings Engages Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, to Be Their New Brand Ambassador|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pegasus-group-holdings-engages-sarah-ferguson-the-duchess-of-york-to-be-their-new-brand-ambassador-300890448.html|access-date=7 August 2019|publisher=PR Newswire}}</ref>

In June 2020, Ferguson launched her new charitable foundation called Sarah's Trust. The charity provided aid for NHS, care home and hospice staff by delivering more than 150,000 items, including food, masks, scrubs, and toiletries.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Murphy|first=Victoria|date=3 June 2020|title=Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie Organize Thousands of COVID-19 Relief Donations|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a32758517/sarah-ferguson-princess-beatrice-eugenie-coronavirus-donations-sarahs-trust/|access-date=4 June 2020|magazine=Town & Country}}</ref> Organisations such as Under One Sky and NOAH Enterprise have helped the foundation by giving sleeping bags to homeless people in the UK. Essentials and supplies have also been sent to Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shipley|first=Diane|date=3 June 2020|title=Sarah Ferguson's exciting news revealed during lockdown|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2020060390898/sarah-ferguson-exciting-news-sarahs-trust/|access-date=4 June 2020|magazine=Hello!}}</ref> In March 2022, Ferguson visited Denver after being chosen as the keynote speaker at a Junior League of Denver fundraiser.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2022/03/11/sarah-duchess-york-visit-denver/|title=Sarah, Duchess Of York Visits Denver, Reads To School Children|work=CBS Denver|first=Jennifer|last=McRae|date=11 March 2022|access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> In the same month, she travelled to Poland amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian refugees and help her charity the Sarah's Trust in organising goods donated by UK citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/sarah-ferguson-poland-ukraine-warsaw-york-b2038333.html|title=Sarah, Duchess of York travels to Poland after organising help for refugees|work=The Independent|first=Tony|last=Jones|date=17 March 2022|access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> In the following month, she travelled to Albania and met Afghan refugees at a resort in Golem.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/409876-sarah-ferguson-becomes-voice-of-afghan-girls-they-have-right-to-study|title=Sarah Ferguson becomes voice of Afghan girls: 'They have right to study'|work=Geo News|date=6 April 2022|access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref> In her capacity as chief ambassador of the Montessori Group, Ferguson visited Croatia in June 2022 where she promoted the organisation's work on providing help for Ukrainian refugees and supporting children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/63555-duchess-of-york-vukovar-county-officials-discuss-humanitarian-projects|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613080446/https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/63555-duchess-of-york-vukovar-county-officials-discuss-humanitarian-projects|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 June 2022|title=Duchess of York, Vukovar County Officials Discuss Humanitarian Projects|work=Total Croatia News|date=12 June 2022|access-date=14 June 2022}}</ref> In July 2022, her charity secured money to fund £14,000-worth of computers for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.<ref name="Poland-July22">{{cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/20220718145690/sarah-ferguson-touching-gift-ukrainian-refugees-poland-sarahs-trust/|title=Sarah Ferguson's touching visit to Poland to meet Ukrainian refugees: details|work=Hello!|first=Phoebe|last=Tatham|date=18 July 2022|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> She also helped with setting up the 'Play in a Box' tent in Upper Silesia to host refugee children for reading, playing, and baking.<ref name="Poland-July22"/> In December 2022, she hosted a choir for the blind from Kharkiv's Special Training Educational Complex during their visit to the UK, for which she was awarded with a certificate and badge from Poland's National Institute for the Blind.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/20221219159911/sarah-ferguson-humbling-experience-ahead-royal-christmas-exclusive/|title=Exclusive: Sarah Ferguson reveals humbling experience ahead of royal family Christmas in Sandringham|work=Hello!|first=Laura|last=Benjamin|date=23 December 2022|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref>

In March 2024, Ferguson co-chaired the Global Citizen NOW summit in Melbourne, Australia with the aim to end extreme poverty and address the climate crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/the-duchess-of-york-sarah-ferguson-to-cochair-global-citizen-now-summit-in-melbourne/news-story/cc7c835d994c65843714d196084cfcc1|title=Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson to co-chair Global Citizen NOW summit in Melbourne|work=Herald Sun|first=Epstein|last=Jackie}}</ref>

In February 2026, Sarah's Trust announced that it would close for the "foreseeable future" after months of internal discussion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tian |first=Yang |date=3 February 2026 |title=Sarah Ferguson's charity to close days after new Epstein revelations |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gr1d8nv58o |access-date=3 February 2026 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The announcement followed the release of court documents related to Epstein, which detailed Ferguson's continued contact with him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Aneesa |date=3 February 2026 |title=Sarah Ferguson charity to close after new details of friendship with Epstein |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/03/sarah-ferguson-charity-to-close-after-new-details-of-friendship-with-epstein |access-date=3 February 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Business life== ===Film and television=== [[File:SarahFerguson09TIFF.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Ferguson at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival]] In 2000, Ferguson co-produced and served as presenter in a documentary for BBC television called ''In Search of the Spirit''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Duchess in search of the spirit|url=http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1050226.stm|access-date=13 May 2015|publisher=BBC|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805053833/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1050226.stm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2003, she was a co-host for three days on BBC Radio 2's afternoon show ''Steve Wright''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Ferguson & Steve Wright|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/09_september/08/duchess_wright.shtml|access-date=13 May 2015|publisher=BBC}}</ref> In May 2004, Ferguson hosted an eleven-minute production featurette on Universal's DVD ''Peter Pan'', titled ''The Legacy of Pan''.<ref name="Zayed-2008" /> Five months later, Walt Disney Feature Animation released a DVD short ''The Cat That Looked at a King'', with Ferguson's voice in the role of the Queen;<ref name="Zayed-2008" /> the story is derived from the ''Mary Poppins'' books by P. L. Travers.

In 2008, Ferguson was a special correspondent to NBC's ''Today'' for which she presented segments for a series called "From the Heart".<ref name="Zayed-2008" /><ref name="Middlesex-2009" /> In May 2008, her two-part film ''The Duchess in Hull'' premiered on ITV1, showing Ferguson helping a family on a council estate in Hull to improve their lifestyle.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Banks-Smith|first=Nancy|date=20 May 2008|title=Last night's TV: The Duchess in Hull|work=The Guardian|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2008/may/20/lastnightstvtheduchessin}}</ref> In the same year she travelled to Romania and Turkey for the documentary ''Duchess and Daughters: Their Secret Mission'', shown on ITV1 on 6 November 2008, investigating poor treatment and conditions in children's institutions in those two countries.<ref>{{Cite news|title=WikiLeaks cables: We can't control Duchess of York, David Miliband told angry Turks|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8304444/WikiLeaks-cables-We-cant-control-Duchess-of-York-David-Miliband-told-angry-Turks.html|access-date=13 May 2015|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In August 2009, her documentary ''The Duchess on the Estate'', which was about Northern Moor, Manchester, was shown on the same network.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sarah Ferguson's documentary is a very poor show|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2009/aug/18/sarah-ferguson|access-date=13 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson Stays in Northern Moor Council Estate to Promote Community Spirit|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Duchess-Of-York-Sarah-Ferguson-Stays-In-Northern-Moor-Council-Estate-To-Promote-Community-Spirit/Article/200908215361245?f=rss|access-date=25 May 2010|publisher=Sky News}}</ref> Her report on the suburb area in Manchester caused criticism for exaggerating crime in the area.<ref name="Telegraph-debts" />

Ferguson had a producing role in the 2009 Jean-Marc Vallée film ''The Young Victoria'', starring Emily Blunt and featuring a background player role for Ferguson's daughter Princess Beatrice.<ref name="bruniinterview">{{Cite news|last=Bruni|first=Frank|author-link=Frank Bruni|date=10 December 2009|title=Duchess of York as Film Producer|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/movies/13ferguson.html|access-date=28 July 2011|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="wpostreinvent">{{Cite news|last=Jordan|first=Mary|author-link=Mary Jordan (journalist)|date=20 December 2009|title=With her film 'The Young Victoria,' Sarah Ferguson reinvents herself yet again|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121800070_2.html|access-date=20 July 2011|url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was Ferguson who conceived the idea for a film based upon the early years of Queen Victoria. Since her marriage, she had been interested in the Queen, and had written two books about her with the help of a historian. The Victoria-Albert relationship in particular drew her into the queen's history, as she believed there were parallels between their marriage and her own with Andrew, as they both "fought for their love" in the midst of public scrutiny.<ref name="bruniinterview" />

Ferguson had the leading role on ''Finding Sarah'', a mini-series on Oprah Winfrey Network which premiered in June 2011. She talked about her struggles through life and financial issues in the show.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, Comes to Own: The Oprah Winfrey Network in a Six Part Series 'Finding Sarah'|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/09/10/sarah-ferguson-the-duchess-of-york-comes-to-own-the-oprah-winfrey-network-in-a-six-part-series-finding-sarah-37355/20100910own01/|access-date=15 December 2012|work=The Futon Critic}}</ref>

In 2019, Ferguson said that she was producing a TV documentary about Prince Albert's mother Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. The documentary would focus on her life, particularly her separation from her husband Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 June 2019|title=Sarah Ferguson brings to light one of the royal family's saddest tales|url=https://www.msn.com/en-nz/health/lifestylefamily/sarah-ferguson-brings-to-light-one-of-the-royal-familys-saddest-tales/ar-AADkp8n?li=BBqdb1S|access-date=13 December 2019|work=msn.com}}</ref>{{update inline|date=May 2021}} In July 2020, it was reported that Ferguson had been a judge on the pilot for Fox's ''Dancing with Horses'' but the production and distribution were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/claudia-rosencrantz-lifts-lid-on-dancing-with-horses-pilot-fox-1202996839/|title=Claudia Rosencrantz Lifts Lid On Fox's 'Dancing With Horses' Pilot, Which Featured Prince Andrew's Ex Sarah Ferguson|work=Deadline|first=Jake|last=Kanter|date=29 July 2020|access-date=13 August 2025}}</ref>

In October 2025, it was reported that Ferguson had been dropped from ITV's ''Loose Women'' and ''This Morning'' as a guest after insiders said there were no plans for any future appearances.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/sarah-ferguson-axed-itvs-loose-women-and-this-morning-5HjdG6W_2/|title=Fergie 'axed from ITV's Loose Women and This Morning'|work=LBC|first=Asher|last=McShane|date=29 October 2025|access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref>

===Other ventures=== Ferguson's commercial interests have included an eleven-year endorsement with Weight Watchers and product development and promotion with Wedgwood and Avon.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York|url=http://www.themullanyfund.org/about/sarah-ferguson-patron|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224095815/http://www.themullanyfund.org/about/sarah-ferguson-patron|archive-date=24 December 2008|access-date=8 January 2017|publisher=The Mullany Fund}}</ref> In the 2000s she designed a set of tea-scented candles for Bath & Body Works, and in 2007 she raised the possibility of launching a Duchess Originals homeware range, similar to the then-Prince Charles's Duchy Originals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/fergies-duchess-originals-bjb9xfbcqrz|title=Fergie's 'duchess originals'|work=The Times|first1=John|last1=Elliott|first2=Maurice|last2=Chittenden|date=4 February 2007|access-date=13 August 2025}}</ref> In 2020, it was reported that she could possibly launch a lifestyle brand, Duchess Inc., and later in the year designed a range of tea and biscuits called the Duchess Collection in aid of her charity Sarah's Trust.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/sarah-ferguson-duchess-of-york-lifestyle-brand-347230/|title=The Duchess of York could be about to make a huge announcement|magazine=Woman & Home|first=Mariana|last=Cerqueira|date=28 January 2020|access-date=13 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2020/11/24/sarah-ferguson-designs-duchess-branded-biscuit-tea-collection/|title=Sarah Ferguson designs Duchess-branded biscuit and tea collection|work=The Telegraph|first=Victoria|last=Ward|date=24 November 2020|access-date=13 August 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117055409/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2020/11/24/sarah-ferguson-designs-duchess-branded-biscuit-tea-collection/|archive-date=17 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2020, Ferguson launched a new series on her YouTube channel, called ''Storytime with Fergie and Friends'', in which she and a number of authors, including Nanette Newman and Imogen Edwards-Jones, read stories to children from their homes during the lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Storytime with Fergie and Friends|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL23MRvLMnTDPf3pf_62SswHwVXlkW-uuO|access-date=21 April 2020|work=Sarah Ferguson|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> From March to July 2021, the same channel showed 10 short episodes of ''Little Red News'' featuring characters from Ferguson's book series, ''Little Red''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Little Red News|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL23MRvLMnTDPeuEpDeTm7nDS3J0dAEMKv|access-date=14 March 2021|work=Sarah Ferguson|publisher=YouTube}}</ref>

In May 2022, she co-founded the independent production house Vestapol Films, which is based in Paris.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/20220516140390/sarah-ferguson-new-career-in-films-revealed-away-from-home/|title=Sarah Ferguson's new career in films revealed|work=Hello!|first=Hanna|last=Fillingham|date=16 May 2022|access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> In May 2023, she launched the weekly podcast ''Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah'' together with Sarah Thomson, which premiered in June 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/royals/sarah-ferguson-fergie-announces-new-podcast-tea-talks/|title=Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York Reveals New Gig — Spilling the 'Tea'|work=People|first=Janine|last=Henni|date=15 May 2023|access-date=15 May 2023}}</ref>

==Notable appearances on TV and radio== * In the United Kingdom: ** She participated in the programme ''The Grand Knockout Tournament'', informally known as ''It's a Royal Knockout'', on 15 June 1987, in which four teams sponsored by her, the then Duke of York, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward competed for charity. The programme was criticised by the media and it was later reported that the Queen was not in favour of the event, with her courtiers having advised against it.<ref>Ben Pimlott [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/royals/readings/polish.html "Polishing Their Image"], extract from ''The Queen'', HarperCollins (1996) reprinted on the PBS Frontline webpage</ref> ** ''The Vicar of Dibley'' in 1999.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/733994/sarah-ferguson-bridgerton-cameo-hopes-and-chat-with-shonda-rhimes/|title=Sarah Ferguson hints at Bridgerton appearance after speaking with Shonda Rhimes|magazine=Hello!|first=Megan|last=Bull|date=4 December 2024|access-date=4 December 2024}}</ref> ** ''Parkinson'' in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 April 2008|title=The Duchess of York Interview - Parkinson|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4cUmFjG_iw|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/E4cUmFjG_iw|archive-date=11 December 2021|access-date=3 April 2021|work=BBC Studios|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ** ''The Meredith Vieira Show'' in 2015, discussing her former husband's alleged sex scandal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 January 2015|title=Sarah Ferguson on Prince Andrew's Alleged Sex Scandal|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_R6cRUlHag|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/f_R6cRUlHag|archive-date=11 December 2021|access-date=11 March 2021|work=The Meredith Vieira Show|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ** ''This Morning'' in 2019 to discuss "Natasha's Law".<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 July 2019|title=Tanya & Nadim Ednan-Laperouse React to Natasha's Law Announcement|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieWmstHcK-E|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ieWmstHcK-E|archive-date=11 December 2021|access-date=11 March 2021|work=This Morning|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She guest-edited and co-hosted an episode in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/fergie-this-morning-reactions-b2450384.html|title=Sarah Ferguson divides opinion with This Morning co-hosting stint|work=The Independent|first=Nicole|last=Vassell|date=20 November 2023|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> * In the United States: ** ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' in 1996 and 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 March 2020|title=Sarah Ferguson On Being A Royal: "It's Not A Fairytale": The Oprah Winfrey Show|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87zagGHGSFs|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/87zagGHGSFs|archive-date=11 December 2021|access-date=3 March 2021|work=OWN|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=6 June 2016|title=The Duchess of York and Oprah Drink Tea and Tasty Scone Recipes: The Oprah Winfrey Show|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNYktvml-d8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/iNYktvml-d8|archive-date=11 December 2021|access-date=3 March 2021|work=OWN|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2010, she was interviewed for a special episode on the same show, titled ''Oprah and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York'', in which she discussed the "cash for access" scandal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 June 2010|title=How Sarah Ferguson's Family Reacted to Her Royal Scandal Video|url=https://www.oprah.com/own-oprahshow/sarah-fergusons-family-reacts-to-her-royal-scandal-video|access-date=3 April 2021|website=oprah.com}}</ref> ** In May 1998, Ferguson made a cameo in the fourth-season finale of the American television sitcom ''Friends''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Friends: The One With Ross's Wedding (1)|url=http://www.tv.com/friends/the-one-with-rosss-wedding-1/episode/440/summary.html?tag=ep_list;ep_title;22|access-date=4 May 2010|publisher=TV.com|archive-date=30 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430104310/http://www.tv.com/friends/the-one-with-rosss-wedding-1/episode/440/summary.html?tag=ep_list;ep_title;22|url-status=dead}}</ref> * In Australia: ** In 2013, Ferguson was interviewed for an episode of Nine Network's ''60 Minutes'', titled "Seeing Red".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 May 2018|title=Seeing red (2013) - A fiery interview with Sarah Ferguson the Duchess of York: 60 Minutes Australia|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMMR2p7xQ-A|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/FMMR2p7xQ-A|archive-date=11 December 2021|access-date=3 March 2021|work=60 Minutes Australia|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Cultural references== * She was caricatured in the satirical puppet show ''Spitting Image'', "with horsey teeth amid a mane of frizzy ginger hair".<ref>{{cite news |title=As Spitting Image hits 40, is political satire having a midlife crisis? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/spitting-image-satire-thatcher-liz-truss-b2497475.html |access-date=27 September 2025 |work=The Independent |date=26 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref> * The 2006 title of R&B/hip-hop artist Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson's debut solo album, ''The Dutchess'' (dutchess is a variant spelling of duchess dating to the 17th century)<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 September 1899|title="Dutchess" And "Duchess" Once More|work=The New York Times|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70D10F83F5512738DDDAA0A94D1405B8985F0D3|url-access=limited}}</ref> was a reference to the fact that the two are associated with the same nickname. According to ''The Boston Globe'', Ferguson contacted Fergie after the release of her album and remarked: "Fergie, it's Fergie... Now that you've done this, you have to sing at a concert for my foundation, 'Children in Crisis'". The singer later performed at the event.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Beggy|first1=Carol|last2=Shanahan|first2=Mark|date=16 November 2006|title=Clarke takes a pass on 'Game Plan' shot|work=The Boston Globe|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2006/11/16/clarke_takes_a_pass_on_game_plan_shot/|access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref> * Between 2016 and 2020, a fictional version of her was portrayed by Katy Wix in the British sitcom ''The Windsors''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Betts|first=Hannah|date=19 May 2018|title=The ups and downs of 'Her Royal-Naffness' Fergie – and why she's smarting over wedding 'snub'|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/welcome-back-fergie-ups-downs-royal-naffness/|access-date=7 December 2020|url-access=subscription|quote=As in the brilliant Channel 4 satire, The Windsors, the duchess seems to make a habit of turning up fresh from some new, mortifying escapade – now fixed in the collective consciousness as issuing actress Katy Wix's fabulously throaty "Hullo, girls" in greeting.}}</ref> * In 2020 Ferguson was portrayed briefly by English actress Jessica Aquilina in the fourth season of Netflix's ''The Crown''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 November 2020|title=Meet The Crown's new cast of characters: From Princess Diana to Sarah Ferguson|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/the-crown-series-four-characters-princess-diana-margaret-thatcher-b60340.html|access-date=20 November 2020|work=Evening Standard}}</ref> * The 2024 series ''A Very Royal Scandal'', which depicted the events surrounding the 2019 BBC interview between the then Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis, featured Claire Rushbrook in the role of Ferguson.<ref>{{Cite web|title='A Very Royal Scandal' Review: Ruth Wilson and Michael Sheen Revisit Prince Andrew's 'Newsnight' Interview in Sturdy Amazon Miniseries|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/a-very-royal-scandal-review-michael-sheen-ruth-wilson-prince-andrew-amazon-1236002699/|access-date=4 October 2024|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=19 September 2024 }}</ref> * She was portrayed by Natalie Dormer in the 2026 British drama series ''The Lady''.<ref>{{cite news|work=Radio Times|first=Morgan|last=Cormack|url= https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-lady-itv-mia-mckenna-bruce-newsupdate/|date=19 March 2025|access-date=7 May 2025|title= Royal aide drama The Lady confirms cast: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Game of Thrones and Outlander stars}}</ref> * In March 2026, Ferguson was parodied by Emma Sidi in a ''Saturday Night Live UK'' cold open, in which she was depicted as an MI5 agent whose role was to make other members of the royal family appear more favourable by comparison.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shafer |first1=Ellise |title=SNL U.K. Cold Open Suggest Prince Andrew's Epstein Scandal Is a '29-Year Plan' by the MI5 to 'Increase the Likability' of King Charles |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/snl-uk-cold-open-prince-andrew-epstein-scandal-planned-mi5-1236702053/ |website=Variety |access-date=5 April 2026 |date=28 March 2026}}</ref>

==Titles, styles, honours and arms==

===Titles and styles=== thumb|upright=0.3|Monogram used by Ferguson<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hrkbenowen.com/images/Duchess1.jpg|title=Duchess1|publisher=hrkbenowen.com|access-date=14 December 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319024200/http://hrkbenowen.com/images/Duchess1.jpg|archive-date=19 March 2016 }}</ref> During her marriage, Ferguson was styled "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of York". On 21 August 1996, letters patent issued by Elizabeth II declared that former wives of British princes, other than widows who did not remarry, were not entitled to the style of Her Royal Highness.<ref name="letterspatent">{{London Gazette|issue=54510|date=30 August 1996|page=11603}}</ref> Meanwhile, divorced peeresses (such as duchesses) cannot "claim the privileges or status of Peeresses which they derived from their husbands",<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Morris|first1=Susan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99tHEAAAQBAJ&pg=PR73|title=Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 2019|date=2019|publisher=Debrett's|isbn=9781999767006|quote=When a lady is divorced she loses any precedence which she gained by marriage. With regard to divorced Peeresses, the College of Arms, acting on an opinion of the Lord Chancellor, has long held that such persons cannot claim the privileges or status of Peeresses which they derived from their husbands}}</ref> but may continue to use the peeress title.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Wyse|first1=Elizabeth|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XsNHEAAAQBAJ&q=marriage+between+a+duke+and+a+duchess+has+been+dissolved|title=Debrett's Handbook|date=2016|publisher=Debrett's|isbn=978-0992934866|quote=If a marriage between a duke and a duchess has been dissolved, the former wife (although no longer a peeress) may continue to use her title as a duke's wife, preceded by her forename (unless she remarries)}}</ref> The Royal Household referred to Ferguson as "Sarah, Duchess of York",<ref>{{Cite web|title=List of the Royal Family|url=https://www.royal.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2023-05/ANNEX%20D%20-%20Royal%20Family-4.pdf|access-date=14 June 2023|publisher=royal.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Press Releases|url=https://www.royal.uk/press-releases?text=duchess+of+york&mrf=&date%5Bmin%5D%5Bdate%5D=30%2F05%2F1996&date%5Bmax%5D%5Bdate%5D=26%2F12%2F2021&id=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226235652/https://www.royal.uk/press-releases?text=duchess+of+york&mrf=&date%5Bmin%5D%5Bdate%5D=30%2F05%2F1996&date%5Bmax%5D%5Bdate%5D=26%2F12%2F2021&id=|archive-date=26 December 2021|access-date=26 December 2021|publisher=royal.gov.uk}}</ref> but on at least two occasions (the announcements of the engagements of her daughters), she was referred to together with her former husband as "The Duke and Duchess of York".<ref>{{Cite web|title=HRH Princess Eugenie of York and Mr. Jack Brooksbank are engaged to be married|date=22 January 2018 |url=https://www.royal.uk/hrh-princess-eugenie-york-and-mr-jack-brooksbank-are-engaged-be-married|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029213542/https://www.royal.uk/hrh-princess-eugenie-york-and-mr-jack-brooksbank-are-engaged-be-married|archive-date=29 October 2021|access-date=26 December 2021|publisher=royal.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Princess Beatrice of York and Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi engaged to be married|date=26 September 2019 |url=https://www.royal.uk/princess-beatrice-york-and-mr-edoardo-mapelli-mozzi-engaged-be-married|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029210910/https://www.royal.uk/princess-beatrice-york-and-mr-edoardo-mapelli-mozzi-engaged-be-married|archive-date=29 October 2021|access-date=26 December 2021|publisher=royal.gov.uk}}</ref>

On 17 October 2025, following her former husband Andrew's agreement to cease using his peerage titles, it was reported that Ferguson would no longer use "Duchess of York" as a courtesy title.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sean |last=Coughlan |date=17 October 2025 |title=Prince Andrew gives up his title as Duke of York |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgqlyw9g7weo |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref> On 21 October, she removed the title from her social media page handles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/sarah-ferguson-makes-change-social-media-after-prince-andrew-title-bombshell-11833637|title=Sarah Ferguson Just Made a Striking Change to Her Social Media Handle After Prince Andrew's Title Bombshell|first=Stephanie|last=Petit|publisher=People|date=21 October 2025|access-date=22 October 2025}}</ref><Ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1424105/sarah-ferguson-drops-royal-title-from-social-media|title=Sarah Ferguson Makes Major Social Media Change After Prince Andrew Gives Up Royal Title|first=Bentley|last=Maddox|publisher=E News|date=21 October 2025}}</ref>

===Honours=== ====Academic honours==== * 1991–1995: University of Salford, Chancellor<ref name="Iddon2015">{{Cite book|last=Iddon|first=Brian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pJ8aCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA178|title=Science & Politics: An Unlikely Mixture|date=30 January 2015|publisher=Memoirs Publishing|isbn=9781861513663|page=178|access-date=21 July 2018}}</ref> * 2016–2021: University of Huddersfield, Visiting professor of Philanthropreneurship<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fellah|first=Nesserine|date=13 July 2016|title=Britain's Duchess of York gets university role linked to charity for women in India|url=http://news.trust.org//item/20160713124303-4atks/|access-date=25 July 2018|publisher=Thomson Reuters Foundation|archive-date=26 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726073901/http://news.trust.org//item/20160713124303-4atks/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Appointments==== * 1988: Honorary Freeman and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers<ref>{{cite AV media |date=15 July 2025 |title=Queen Receives New Honorary Title For Her Service to Literacy|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS0C11jNl-o |work=The Royal Family Channel |time=2:18 |publisher=ITN |access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref> '''Freedom of the City''' * 23 February 1987 – 26 March 2026: Freedom of the City of York<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 2026 |title=Sarah Ferguson stripped of Freedom of City of York title |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w3ez3xp92o |access-date=26 March 2026 |work=BBC News |first=Noor |last=Nanji}}</ref>

====Other honours and awards==== * The rose cultivar ''Rosa'' 'Duchess of York' was named in her honour in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Duchess of York' rose Description|url=https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1654|access-date=27 November 2020|publisher=Help Me Find}}</ref> * In 1998, Ferguson received the ''Journal of Women's Health'' Award from Bernadine Healy.<ref name="Zayed-2008" /> * In 2001, she received ''Redbook'' magazine's "Mothers & Shakers" Award.<ref name="Zayed-2008" /> * In 2004, she received ''Woman's Day'' magazine's "Women Who Inspire Us" Award.<ref name="Zayed-2008" /><ref name="Middlesex-2009" /> * In February 2007, she was named Mother of the Year by the American Cancer Society.<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 February 2007|title=Ferguson to be named Mother of the Year by cancer society|work=Online Athens|url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/020607/living_20070206017.shtml|access-date=2 November 2014}}</ref> * In 2007, she received the ONE X ONE Difference Award for humanitarian work benefiting children worldwide, presented at the Toronto Film Festival.<ref name="Zayed-2008" /><ref name="Middlesex-2009" /> * In June 2018, she received the Humanitarian Award at the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival for her work with Children in Crisis.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1008072352129781761|user=SarahTheDuchess|title=So honoured and humbled to receive the Humanitarian Filming Italy Sardegna Award|author=Sarah Ferguson|date=16 June 2018}}</ref> * In June 2019, she received the Inspiration of the Year Award at ''Hello!''{{'}}s Star Women Awards for her work with charity organisations, including Street Child.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pullar|first=Jess|date=26 June 2019|title=Sarah Ferguson brings crowd to tears after delivering an emotional speech|url=https://www.msn.com/en-au/entertainment/celebrity/sarah-ferguson-brings-crowd-to-tears-after-delivering-an-emotional-speech/ar-AADpKGx|access-date=26 June 2019|publisher=MSN}}</ref> * In July 2022, she received the Global Humanitarian award at the 25th Magna Grecia Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/news/cultura-e-spettacoli/1348543/magna-grecia-awards-premia-anche-gabrielli-e-sarah-ferguson.html|title="Magna Grecia Awards" premia anche Gabrielli e Sarah Ferguson|work=La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno|language=Italian|date=30 June 2022|access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> * In April 2023, she received the Golden Heart Award at the Women Changing the World Awards for her humanitarian work.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/483584-sarah-ferguson-honoured-with-golden-heart-award|title=Sarah Ferguson honoured with Golden Heart Award|work=Geo News|date=24 April 2023|access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref> * In November 2023, she received the Red Cross International Award in recognition of her philanthropic activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/518883-sarah-ferguson-receives-honour-days-after-sharing-exciting-family-news|title=Sarah Ferguson receives honour days after sharing exciting family news|work=Geo News|first=William Blythe|last=Haynes|date=14 November 2023|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref> * In March 2024, ''The Independent'' included her on its "Influence List".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/women/international-womens-day-2024-influence-list-b2500534.html|title=Independent Women 2024 - The Influence List|work=The Independent|date=7 March 2024|access-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307220942/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/women/international-womens-day-2024-influence-list-b2500534.html|archive-date=7 March 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Arms=== {{Infobox COA wide |image = Arms of Sarah Ferguson.svg |imagesize = |bannerimage = |badgeimage = |notes = |year_adopted = 1996 |coronet = |torse = |helm = |escutcheon = Or, growing out of a mound between two leaves three thistle stalks Vert blossomed Purpure all conjoined in base, alighting on the middle blossom a honeybee Or and Sable winged Argent. |supporters = |compartment = |motto = '''EX ADVERSIS FELICITAS CRESCIT'''{{Break}}(Latin: ''From adversity grows happiness'') |orders = |other_elements = |previous_versions = |other_versions = right|100px During her marriage Ferguson's arms were impaled with those of her husband, Prince Andrew. They were emblazoned as follows: ''Quarterly 1st and 4th gules three lions passant guardant in pale or 2nd or a lion rampant gules within a double tressure flory counterflory gules 3rd azure a harp or stringed argent; impaled with a shield Or, growing out of a mound between two leaves three thistle stalks Vert blossomed Purpure all conjoined in base, alighting on the middle blossom a honeybee Or and Sable winged Argent.''

'''Supporters''' ''Dexter a lion rampant gardant Or imperially crowned proper, sinister a unicorn argent, armed, crined and unguled Or, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée and fleurs de lis a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or.''

'''Coronet''' ''Coronet of a child of the sovereign'' }}

==Bibliography==

===Books=== * Autobiographies and memoirs: ** 1996, ''My Story'' {{ISBN|978-0684835815}} ** 2003, ''What I Know Now: Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way'' {{ISBN|978-1416578413}} ** 2011, ''Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself'' {{ISBN|978-1439189542}} * ''Budgie the Little Helicopter'' books and 1994 animated children's television series: ** 1989, ''Budgie the Little Helicopter'' {{ISBN|978-0671676834}} ** 1989, ''Budgie at Bendick's Point'' {{ISBN|978-0689808494}} ** 1991, ''Budgie and the Blizzard'' {{ISBN|978-0671734756}} ** 1992, ''The Adventures of Budgie'' {{ISBN|978-0671792497}} ** 1995, ''Budgie Books – S and S USA'' {{ISBN|978-0750096638}} ** 1996, ''Budgie Goes to Sea'' {{ISBN|978-0689808500}} ** 2021, ''Budgie the Helicopter Rescues Kubbie the Koala'' * About Queen Victoria: ** 1991, ''Victoria and Albert: A Family Life at Osborne House'' {{ISBN|978-0139508820}} ** 1993, ''Travels with Queen Victoria'' {{ISBN|978-0297831952}} * For young girls: ** 1996, ''The Royal Switch'' {{ISBN|978-0440412137}} ** 1997, ''Bright Lights'' {{ISBN|978-0440412168}} * Lifestyle books with Weight Watchers: ** 1998, ''Dieting with The Duchess'' {{ISBN|978-0684857459}} ** 1999, ''Dining with The Duchess'' {{ISBN|978-0684852164}} ** 2000, ''Win the Weight Game'' {{ISBN|978-0684870786}} ** 2001, ''Reinventing Yourself with the Duchess of York'' {{ISBN|978-1439146194}} ** 2002, ''Energy Breakthrough: Jump-start Your Weight Loss and Feel Great'' {{ISBN|978-0743232869}} ** 2009, foreword in ''Weight Watchers Start Living, Start Losing: Inspirational Stories That Will Motivate You Now'' {{ISBN|978-0470189146}} * Little Red series: ** 2003, ''Little Red'' {{ISBN|978-1416918530}} ** 2004, ''Little Red's Christmas Story'' {{ISBN|978-1442430761}} ** 2006, ''Little Red's Summer Adventure'' {{ISBN|978-0689875717}} ** 2009, ''Little Red to the Rescue'' {{ISBN|978-0689875656}} ** 2009, ''Little Red's Autumn Adventure'' {{ISBN|978-0689843419}} * Helping Hands series: ** 2007, ''Charlie and the Bullies'' {{ISBN|978-1906260095}} ** 2007, ''Harry Starts to Enjoy His Food'' {{ISBN|978-1906260064}} ** 2007, ''Get Well Soon, Adam'' {{ISBN|978-1402774010}} ** 2007, ''Lauren's Moving Day'' {{ISBN|978-1402773983}} ** 2007, ''Healthy Food for Dylan'' {{ISBN|978-1402774003}} ** 2007, ''Sophie Makes Friends'' {{ISBN|978-1906260118}} ** 2007, ''Dalia Says Goodbye to Grandpa'' {{ISBN|978-1906260071}} ** 2007, ''Simon Gets Better'' {{ISBN|978-1906260026}} ** 2007, ''Emily Mover Home'' {{ISBN|978-1906260002}} ** 2010, ''Ashley Learns about Strangers'' {{ISBN|978-1402773938}} ** 2010, ''Emily's First Day of School'' {{ISBN|978-1402773921}} ** 2010, ''Michael and His New Baby Brother'' {{ISBN|978-1402773907}} ** 2010, ''Matthew and the Bullies'' {{ISBN|978-1402773914}} ** 2011, ''When Katie's Parents Separated'' {{ISBN|978-1402773952}} ** 2011, ''Zach Gets Some Exercise'' {{ISBN|978-1402773990}} ** 2011, ''Jacob Goes to the Doctor and Sophie Visits the Dentist'' {{ISBN|978-1402773969}} ** 2011, ''Molly Makes Friends'' {{ISBN|978-1402773976}} ** 2011, ''Olivia Says Goodbye to Grandpa'' {{ISBN|978-1402773945}} ** 2019, ''James and the Bullies'' {{ISBN|978-1916105218}} ** 2020, ''Holly's First Day at School'' {{ISBN|978-1916105232}} ** 2020, ''Daisy Learns about Strangers'' {{ISBN|978-1916105225}} * Genie Gems series: ** 2020, ''Genie Gems: Mission to Devon'' {{ISBN|978-0648803164}} ** 2020, ''Genie Gems Meets Arthur Fantastic'' {{ISBN|978-0648803126}} * Puddle Boots series: ** 2021, ''Puddle Boots'' {{ISBN|978-0645099676}} ** 2021, ''Puddle Boots Christmas'' {{ISBN|978-0645355949}} * About Margaret and Mary Montagu Douglas Scott: ** 2021, ''Her Heart for a Compass'' {{ISBN|978-0062976529}} ** 2023, ''A Most Intriguing Lady'' {{ISBN|978-0008512972}} *** 2024, ''A Woman of Intrigue'' {{ISBN|978-0008513016}} * The Southport series: ** 2022, ''Demon's Land'' {{ISBN|978-0645355994}} ** 2022, ''Field of Sky'' {{ISBN|978-0645516296}} * Flora & Fern series: ** 2024, ''Flora & Fern: Wonder in the Woods'' {{ISBN|978-1915167866}} ** 2025, ''Flora & Fern: Kindness Along the Way'' {{ISBN|978-1917487214}} (withdrawn from sale)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz91zg8ly1jo|title=Sarah Ferguson's new book withdrawn from sale, says Nielsen|work=BBC News|first=Noor|last=Nanji|date=14 November 2025|access-date=15 November 2025}}</ref> * 1988, ''A Guard Within'' {{ISBN|978-0394758343}} * 1989, ''Skiing from the Inside: The Self-help Guide to Mastering the Slopes'' {{ISBN|978-0671697112}} * 2003, ''Moments'' {{ISBN|978-1862055735}} * 2008, ''Tea for Ruby'' {{ISBN|978-1442426337}} * 2008, ''Hartmoor'' {{ISBN|978-1405054126}} * 2012, ''Ballerina Rosie'' {{ISBN|978-1442430679}} * 2020, ''The Enchanted Oak Tree'' {{ISBN|978-0648840848}} * 2020, ''A Gift of Kindness'' * 2021, ''The Adventures of Charlie, Blue and Larry Lamp Post'' {{ISBN|978-0645268904}} * 2021, ''What's Under Your Hat, Granny?'' {{ISBN|978-0645218312}} * 2023, ''The Girl on the Ceiling'' {{ISBN|978-0645355932}} * 2024. ''Fabulous Food Art''. {{ISBN|978-1763619487}}

===Authored articles=== * {{Cite magazine|last=Ferguson|first=Sarah|date=13 July 2018|title=Street Child can take the work I started 25 years ago to even more children|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/street-child-can-take-the-work-i-started-25-years-ago-to-even-more-children-a3886696.html|magazine=Evening Standard|language=en}} * {{Cite magazine|author=Sarah, Duchess of York|date=11 February 2019|title=#HelloToKindness: Duchess of York writes heartfelt open letter about 'sewer' of social media|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/2019021167679/sarah-ferguson-online-bullying-hello-to-kindness-exclusive/|magazine=Hello!|language=en}} * {{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Sarah|date=31 March 2021|title=As a result of the pandemic, young people with cancer need our support more than ever|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/31/result-pandemic-young-people-cancer-need-support-ever/|work=The Telegraph|language=en|url-access=subscription}} * {{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Sarah|date=21 April 2023|title=Now I'm a grandma, I'm terrified about climate change|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/04/21/sarah-ferguson-fergie-climate-change-terrified/|work=The Telegraph|language=en|url-access=subscription}} * {{Cite magazine|author=Sarah, Duchess of York|date=24 March 2025|title=Sarah, Duchess of York writes emotional letter that will resonate with parents|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/821934/sarah-ferguson-supports-childrens-literacy-charity/|magazine=Hello!|language=en}} * {{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Sarah|date=23 April 2025|title=Amplify the voices of teens with cancer, says Sarah Ferguson|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/sarah-ferguson-teenage-cancer-trust-charity-m92b2nsk6|work=The Times|language=en|url-access=subscription}} * {{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Sarah|date=4 May 2025|title=I know what it's like to suffer cruel scrutiny and fear social media's impact on our children, writes Sarah Ferguson|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/opinion/views/cruel-scrutiny-fear-the-impact-social-media-online-safety-duchess-york/|work=LBC|language=en}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikiquote}} * {{Instagram|sarahferguson15|name=Sarah Ferguson (Fergie)}} * {{NPG name}} * {{IMDb name|0272601|name=Sarah Ferguson}} * {{C-SPAN|38271}}

{{s-start}} {{s-aca}} {{s-bef | before = The Duke of Edinburgh }} {{s-ttl | title = Chancellor of the University of Salford | years = 1991–1995 }} {{s-aft | after = Sir Walter Bodmer }} {{s-end}}

{{British princesses by marriage}} {{Duchesses of York}} {{Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferguson, Sarah}} Category:Sarah Ferguson Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century English memoirists Category:21st-century English memoirists Category:20th-century English women writers Category:21st-century English women writers Category:Writers from the City of Westminster Category:British duchesses by marriage Category:British people of American descent Category:British royal memoirists Category:21st-century British memoirists Category:British women aviators Category:British women podcasters Category:Chancellors of the University of Salford Category:Duchesses of York Category:English Anglicans Category:English autobiographers Category:English children's writers Category:English film producers Category:British podcasters Category:Mountbatten-Windsor family Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:People educated at Hurst Lodge School Category:People from Dummer, Hampshire Category:People from Marylebone Category:People from Sunninghill Category:People named in the Panama Papers Category:Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Category:Wives of British princes Category:Women helicopter pilots Caregory:English people of Irish descent