Sarah, Duchess Of York

Sarah Margaret Ferguson was born on October 15, 1959, at London Welbeck Hospital in London. She is the daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson (1931–2003) and Susan Barrantes (née Wright; 1937–1998). Ferguson has an older sister named Jane. Her parents divorced in 1974, and her mother subsequently married polo player Héctor Barrantes in 1975, relocating to Trenque Lauquen in Argentina. Ferguson remained at Dummer Down Farm in Hampshire, her father's residence since she was eight years old. Her father remarried Susan Deptford in 1976, with whom he had three additional children: Andrew, Alice, and Elizabeth.

Ferguson attended Daneshill preparatory school in Hampshire and subsequently Hurst Lodge School in Ascot. She displayed aptitude in swimming and tennis but did not excel academically. She developed an early interest in skiing and worked briefly as a chalet girl. During her teenage years, she held various jobs including cleaning and waiting tables. After completing a secretarial course at Queen’s Secretarial College at age 18, Ferguson worked for an art gallery, followed by positions in public relations firms in London and at a publishing company.

In 1986, Ferguson began a relationship with Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and younger brother of King Charles III. Their engagement was announced on March 19, 1986, and they married on July 23, 1986, in Westminster Abbey. Upon marriage, Ferguson assumed the title Her Royal Highness The Duchess of York. The couple had two daughters: Princess Beatrice, born on August 8, 1988, and Princess Eugenie, born on March 23, 1990.

Throughout her marriage, Ferguson participated in royal duties and official engagements. She was involved in visits abroad, including a 25-day tour of Canada in 1987 and official trips to Australia and Germany. Her pregnancies were marked by public and media attention, particularly regarding her weight and health.

The marriage experienced difficulties due to the demanding nature of royal life and Andrew’s naval commitments. Publicly, their separation was announced in March 1992, and they formally divorced in May 1996. After separation, Ferguson was no longer a working member of the royal family, and the Queen declared she would not assume responsibility for Ferguson’s debts. Her personal life was marked by media scrutiny, including scandals such as unauthorized photographs in 1992 and allegations involving her associations with Jeffrey Epstein and other controversies.

Post-divorce, Ferguson authored autobiographies including "Sarah: My Story" (1996) and "Finding Sarah" (2011). She has engaged in various charitable activities, founding Children in Crisis in 1993 and supporting numerous health and education initiatives. Ferguson's charitable work has involved patronages of organizations supporting cancer patients, children, and disadvantaged populations globally.

She has also pursued work in television and film production, co-producing documentaries and appearing in series such as "Finding Sarah" on Oprah Winfrey’s network. Ferguson has been involved in various commercial ventures, including endorsements and product collaborations.

Her personal life after divorce involved residences at Sunninghill Park, the Royal Lodge, and later in Verbier, Switzerland. She has faced financial challenges, including debts and disputes related to business ventures and assets. In 2019, Ferguson became involved with cryptocurrency-related activities, which resulted in further scrutiny and legal issues.

Ferguson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein came under public attention again in 2021 and 2025, revealing contacts and emails that indicated ongoing interactions despite priordenials. Several charities distanced themselves from her following disclosures.

Her health has been publicly disclosed; in June 2023, Ferguson was diagnosed with early breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Subsequent medical reports in early 2024 indicated a diagnosis of malignant melanoma.

In recent years, Ferguson has participated in public ceremonies, including attending the 2022 funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the 2023 coronation of King Charles III. She was notably absent from some royal events but joined her family for Christmas services in 2023.

Ferguson has written extensively, producing numerous books for children and adults, and has appeared on various TV and radio programs worldwide. She has received various honors and awards for her philanthropic work. As of late 2025, she ceased using the courtesy title "Duchess of York" following her former husband's decision to relinquish his peerage titles.