Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has been exposed for a lifestyle of extraordinary extravagance that led to a staggering £3.7 million debt. Known for her flair for drama and lavish spending, Ferguson's financial troubles have been documented extensively,
revealing a pattern of reckless indulgence that shocked even royal insiders. Her spending went far beyond what her allowances and business ventures could sustain, leading to a financial crisis that damaged her reputation and embarrassed the Royal Family.
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie's book, "Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York," lifts the lid on Ferguson's spending habits. She lived a life marked by lavish royal feasts reminiscent of Henry VIII's era, shopping sprees tallying £51,000,
and shelling out tens of thousands on private trainers who were rarely used. Her indulgence extended to luxury goods, extravagant decor, and expensive security measures for her daughters Eugenie and Beatrice. She racked up thousands in unpaid bills, including those for personal shoppers and even the late Queen’s mail service, highlighting a chaotic financial situation that seemed out of control.
Despite attempts to restore financial stability through lucrative deals such as a £376,000 advertising campaign for Ocean Spray and a £500,000 contract with WeightWatchers, the debts were vast and growing. By 1994,
Sarah Ferguson's debts had reached an alarming £3.7 million. At one point, she even needed bank approval for writing modest checks. Cuntts Bank, her bankers, demanded payment of £500,000 within a short time frame to stave off further crisis. Reportedly, Queen Elizabeth II intervened on multiple occasions to bail her out, providing financial relief to avoid public scandal.