Who is Sarah Ferguson, former wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?
As scrutiny surrounding Andrew intensifies following his arrest, Ferguson has also drawn attention due to business closures and her past association within the same social circles. A cancer survivor and public figure in her own right, she continues to balance personal resilience with renewed media focus.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was married to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from 1986 to 1996 but has remained closely connected to him and the royal family. The couple share two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and have maintained a friendly relationship despite their divorce.
Who is Sarah Ferguson, former wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?
As scrutiny surrounding Andrew intensifies following his arrest, Ferguson has also drawn attention due to business closures and her past association within the same social circles. A cancer survivor and public figure in her own right, she continues to balance personal resilience with renewed media focus.
As legal scrutiny intensifies around Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public life, attention has also turned to his former wife, Sarah Ferguson — widely known as “Fergie.”Ferguson, 66, has remained a visible public figure decades after her divorce from Andrew, balancing charity work, media projects and business ventures while maintaining close ties to the royal family.
Early life and royal connection
Born to retired army major Ronald Ferguson, who had connections to the royal household through polo circles, Ferguson reportedly first met Andrew as a child. However, their romantic relationship began years later after they were reintroduced as adults — reportedly with help from Princess Diana, who was Ferguson’s close friend.The couple married on July 23, 1986, in a high-profile ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Upon marriage, Andrew received the Duke of York title, and Ferguson became the Duchess of York. Their wedding drew global attention, with dignitaries and world leaders among the guests.
Marriage, divorce and continued closeness
Their marriage was short-lived. The pair separated in 1992 and finalized their divorce in 1996. Despite the split, they maintained a notably amicable relationship and continued to appear publicly together, especially in support of their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.Over the years, both have described themselves as close friends. They have also shared residences at various times, including Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park before Andrew’s recent move to the Sandringham estate.
Business ventures and recent scrutiny
Ferguson has built a career as an author, public speaker and television personality. However, recent reporting indicates that six companies linked to her where she is listed as the sole director — are being shut down following renewed attention tied to the Epstein file disclosures. The companies reportedly span public relations and retail activities, though none are described as highly commercially active.
While Ferguson previously acknowledged knowing Jeffrey Epstein through social circles, she has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. She has also not publicly commented on Andrew’s most recent arrest.
In 2019, when controversy first engulfed Andrew over his association with Epstein, Ferguson publicly defended her former husband, describing him as a principled man and standing by him during that period of intense scrutiny.
Health challenges
In recent years, Ferguson has also faced significant health battles. In 2023, she was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer and underwent successful surgery. Months later, she was treated for melanoma discovered during reconstructive procedures. By mid-2024, her family confirmed she was in the clear and recovering well.
Where she stands now
Although divorced for nearly three decades, Ferguson remains closely connected to Andrew and the wider royal family. As investigations continue and headlines resurface, she once again finds herself navigating public attention — this time amid renewed fallout from Andrew’s legal troubles and the broader repercussions of the Epstein scandal.