Sarah Ferguson's Pursuit of Wealthy Partners Detailed in Epstein Document Release
The full extent of Sarah Ferguson's determined search for a wealthy second husband following her divorce from Prince Andrew has been exposed in the latest batch of Jeffrey Epstein documents. The former Duchess of York, now 67, directly proposed marriage to the convicted sex offender in email correspondence from January 2010, despite Epstein having been convicted of soliciting sex from underage girls.
Direct Proposals to Epstein
In one particularly revealing email exchange, Ferguson wrote to Epstein: 'You are a legend. I really don't have the words to describe my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.' This wasn't her first marriage proposal to the disgraced financier. In September 2009, she had suggested Epstein should marry an unnamed woman with a 'great body' before adding: 'Ok, well marry me and then we will employ her.'
These revelations highlight Ferguson's long-standing pattern of pursuing affluent and influential men, earning her the nickname 'Duchess of Excess' as she accumulated millions in debt while maintaining an extravagant lifestyle. Her romantic history demonstrates a consistent preference for wealthy partners who could potentially rescue her from financial difficulties.
Early Relationships and Financial Pressures
Ferguson's pattern began early in her adult life. Her first serious relationship was with Paddy McNally, an Irish motorsports executive worth over £600 million, who was significantly older than her. She later left McNally for Prince Andrew, then the Duke of York. Following her separation from Andrew in 1992, Ferguson pursued several wealthy men while her debts mounted to approximately £3.7 million.
During this period, she remained optimistic that either a lucrative business deal or a wealthy suitor would emerge to solve her financial problems. Her spending habits were legendary, with one associate revealing her annual expenditure reached £860,000, including £300,000 on staff, £150,000 on gifts, and £100,000 on clothing - with £25,000 spent during a single hour-long shopping spree at Bloomingdale's.
Post-Divorce Romantic Pursuits
After separating from Andrew, Ferguson became involved with American oil tycoon Steve Wyatt, whom she met at Houston Grand Opera's British Opera Festival in 1989. Royal biographer Andrew Lownie noted that 'upset by Andrew's bullying and his recent close relationship with a married woman, Sarah was receptive to falling in love' with the son of oil magnate Oscar Wyatt.
Their relationship deepened during visits to the Wyatt family's 16,000-acre ranch, though Ferguson ignored warnings from her clairvoyant friend Maureen Conway about the relationship. Conway later observed this demonstrated 'how little control Fergie has over her impulses.' The affair contributed to the breakdown of her marriage to Andrew, particularly after photographs emerged showing Ferguson and Wyatt together during a 1990 holiday, with their daughter Princess Beatrice sitting on Wyatt's knee.
Subsequent Relationships and Controversies
Following Wyatt's return to the United States and subsequent engagement to another woman, Ferguson became involved with Wyatt's friend John Bryan. Their relationship gained notoriety after photographs surfaced showing Bryan sucking Ferguson's toes during a 1992 holiday in the south of France. Bryan later described this as a 'beautiful family moment' from a game of make-believe with Ferguson's daughters.
Ferguson also developed what friends described as a 'schoolgirl crush' on John F. Kennedy Jr., assigning him the code name 'Number Nine' to signify his imagined place among her lovers. She collected magazine articles about him and asked friends about their compatibility, despite never actually meeting him. Her obsession intensified after learning Princess Diana had met Kennedy, with Ferguson reportedly exclaiming: 'He's mine! Why can't she just leave him alone?'
Later Relationships and Financial Ventures
In 1997, Ferguson began dating Italian aristocrat Count Gaddo della Gherardesca, spending time skiing, socializing in London, and traveling together. The count publicly expressed his affection but denied marriage rumors. Years later, in 2015, reports emerged that Ferguson was involved with Spanish internet entrepreneur Manuel Fernandez, eight years her junior, though she denied romantic involvement and described them as 'good friends' working on charitable projects together.
Fernandez's company vVoosh later received over £1 million in taxpayer funding but folded without launching any products. The associated vVoosh Charitable Foundation was more than four years overdue in filing accounts, with its last report showing only £18,240 spent on charitable activities from £1.28 million in income.
Enduring Connections
Ferguson has maintained connections with former partners throughout the years. Paddy McNally, her first serious boyfriend, provided support during difficult periods, including hosting Ferguson and her family at his Swiss ski chalet following Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit against Prince Andrew. McNally reportedly arranged an expensive fireworks display for the gathering, demonstrating the enduring nature of some relationships from Ferguson's complex romantic history.
The Epstein document revelations provide new insight into Ferguson's persistent pursuit of wealthy partners, revealing a pattern that spans decades and intersects with some of the most controversial figures of recent times.
