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<\/p>\nSARAH Ferguson shot to international fame when she married Prince Andrew.<\/p>\n
Despite the former royal couple being divorced for years Fergie, as she has been nicknamed over the years, has remained in the spotlight. <\/p>\n
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Born on October 15, 1959, Sarah Ferguson is a former member of the Royal Family as well as being a charity patron, television personality, film producer and author.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Duchessis the daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson and Susan Barrantes, and she is a descendant of King Charles II via three of his illegitimate children<\/p>\n
She has previously described her family as \u201ccountry gentry with a bit of old money\u201d.<\/p>\n
Yet despite Fergie's impressive lineage, she is no stranger to hard work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During her teen years she 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\u2019s Secretarial College.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fergie briefly worked for an art gallery before moving into public relations and later working for a publishing company. \u00a0<\/p>\n However, her life changed when she had a chance encounter with Prince Andrew at Royal Ascot in 1985\u00a0that would spark their love affair.\u00a0<\/p>\n They married in Westminster Abbey on July 23, 1986.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n They were wed for six years and had two daughters together, Princess Beatrice born 1988 and Princess Eugenie born 1990.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Duke and Duchess of York divorced in 1992, but despite their separation have remained friends over the years.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to The Sunday Telegraph, the Duchess' divorce settlement amounted to roughly \u00a33million in total.<\/p>\n However, Fergie\u00a0found new ways to earn a living and carve her own path.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whilst being a young mother, she began working as an author for children\u2019s books producing her debut novel Budgie The Little Helicopter.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fergie later wrote her autobiography entitled My Story making it into the top three in American bestseller lists.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n The Duchess\u2019 most lucrative deal came from Weight Watchers which she endorsed in 1997.\u00a0<\/p>\n As of 2023, her net worth is estimated to be around \u00a31M.<\/p>\n Fergie\u2019s autobiography earned her an advance of \u00a3800,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n Her two books The Royal Switch and Bright Lights with New York publishers Delacorte earned her an estimated \u00a3500,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other book titles which earned her impressive deals included Tea For Ruby, Heart For A Compass, and Finding Sarah.\u00a0<\/p>\n She also wrote the Budgie The Little Helicopter series of picture books, which was adapted into a TV series.<\/p>\n The Duchess has even earned money from writing Mills & Boon romances.<\/p>\n In 2022, Fergie reportedly signed a major book deal with Serendipity Press agreeing to pen a staggering 22 books for the company, NBD.\u00a0<\/p>\n After Andrew and Fergie\u2019s divorce, the couple reached a settlement where Fergie still received\u00a0\u00a315,853 ($19,800) per year\u00a0from the Royal Family.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Duchess also still lives in the Royal Lodge with Andrew and the Queen's beloved corgis.<\/p>\n According to senior sources at The Sunday Telegraph, the Duchess' divorce settlement amounted to roughly \u00a33million in total.<\/p>\n At the time, it was reported that Fergie\u00a0received \u00a3500,000 from the Queen in order to buy a new house for her and her children.\u00a0<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dk-comp-king-charles-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>IN THE ACTION <\/span><\/p>\nSnubbed Sarah Ferguson learns she WILL have role in coronation celebrations<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tp-composite-diana-and-fergie-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>ROYAL RUMBLE <\/span><\/p>\nSarah Ferguson sensationally claims she and Diana were ARRESTED at her hen do<\/h3>\n
Most read in Royals<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/TM-comp-Secret-codes-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>ROYAL CODE <\/span><\/p>\nSecret codes Kate & Will use to communicate in public – bum taps to thigh clasp<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/tp-composite-harry-and-meghan.jpg\")
<\/picture>BACK HOME <\/span><\/p>\nHarry and Meghan touch down in US after romantic couple’s holiday in Caribbean<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2018-file-photo-britains-prince-487866658.jpg\")
<\/picture>ROYAL ROMANTICS <\/span><\/p>\nInside Harry and Meghan’s romantic getaway on super posh Caribbean island<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/TM-comp-Kate-Middleton-1-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>TINSIDER <\/span><\/p>\nInside life of most down-to-earth royal couple, from flying economy to beer pong<\/h3>\n
How much has Sarah Ferguson made from her books?\u00a0 \u00a0<\/h2>\n
Does Sarah Ferguson get paid by the Royal Family?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
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