Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
THE Duchess of York, Sarah, is the former wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
She is a member of the Royal Family alongside being a charity patron, television personality, film producer and author.
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Ferguson, also known by her nickname Fergie, was born on October 15, 1959.
The Duchess is the daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson and Susan Barrantes and is a descendant of King Charles II via three of his illegitimate children.
Ferguson’s great-great-grandfather was the 6th Duke of Buccleuch, and her grandfather was the 8th Viscount Powerscourt and is also distantly related to Prince Andrew being both descendants from the Duke of Devonshire and King James VI and I.
Ferguson described her family as “country gentry with a bit of old money” yet despite her impressive lineage, she was no stranger to hard work.
During her teen years Fergie worked as a chalet girl, cleaner and waitress and after attending Hurst Lodge School in Ascot she went on to do a finishing course at Queen’s Secretarial College.
Fergie briefly worked for an art gallery before moving into public relations and later working for a publishing company.
Fergie and Prince Andrew had known each since childhood, but it was a chance encounter at Royal Ascot in 1985 that would spark their love affair.
The couple announced their engagement with Andrew designing the ring himself consisting of a Burmese ruby which is said to reflect Fergie’s red hair.
They were married for six years and had two daughters together, Princess Beatrice born 1988 and Princess Eugenie born 1990 – eighth and ninth in the line of succession to the British throne.
Despite Andrew and Fergie’s divorce, the couple have remained friends over the years.
After the royal marriage ended Fergie found new ways to earn a living and carve her own path.
Whilst being a young mother, Fergie began working as an author for children’s books producing her debut novel Budgie The Little Helicopter.
She later wrote her autobiography entitled My Story making it into the top three in American bestseller lists.
The Duchess’ most lucrative deal came from Weight Watchers which she endorsed in 1997.
As of May 2023, her net worth is estimated to be around £805,280.00 ($1 million).
Fergie’s autobiography earned her an advance of £800,000.
Her two books The Royal Switch and Bright Lights with New York publishers Delacorte earned her an estimated £500,000.
Other book titles which earned her impressive deals included Tea for Ruby, Heart for a Compass and Finding Sarah.
In 2022, Fergie signed a major book deal with Serendipity Press agreeing to pen a staggering 22 books for the company, NBD.
After Andrew and Fergie’s divorce, the couple reached a settlement where Fergie still received 15,853 (£$19,800) per year from the Royal Family.
According to senior sources at The Sunday Telegraph, the Duchess’ divorce settlement amounted to roughly £2 million in total.
At the time, it was reported that Fergie received £500,000 from the Queen in order to buy a new house for her and her children.
She received £350,000 in cash and £1.4 million to set up a trust fund for Beatrice and Eugenie.
Fergie also received a modest monthly allowance based on the Duke of York’s salary as a Royal Navy officer.
The Duchess doesn’t receive money from the Royal Family, however, she does live in the royal lodge with Andrew and the Queen’s beloved corgis’.