Career Timeline of Sarah Ferguson: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Sarah Ferguson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Sarah Ferguson, also known as Fergie, is a British author and the former wife of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. As the Duchess of York, she was a prominent member of the British royal family until her divorce from Andrew. She has since pursued a career as an author, writing both children's books and adult fiction and non-fiction. Ferguson remains a public figure, frequently appearing in the media and participating in charitable endeavors.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1987: Canada Tour

In 1987, Andrew and Sarah Ferguson undertook a 25-day tour of Canada. In February that year, Ferguson passed her private pilot's licence after completing a 40-hour training course paid for by Lord Hanson as a wedding gift, and she was presented with her wings at RAF Benson in December.

1987: Production of the Budgie Books

In 1987, the "Budgie the Little Helicopter" books were produced, with a large percentage of earnings initially donated to charity.

1990: Patron of Teenage Cancer Trust

From 1990, Sarah Ferguson served as patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust, opening many of the charity's specialist units.

1992: Meeting Ania in Poland

In 1992, Sarah Ferguson met a young cancer victim named Ania during her visit to Poland, which led to her founding Children in Crisis.

1993: Founded Children in Crisis

In 1993, Sarah Ferguson founded Children in Crisis, a children's charity focused on education and grant-making to international programmes.

December 1994: Fundraising in the US and Launch of Chances for Children

In December 1994, Sarah Ferguson traveled to the US to participate in a fundraising event for Peace Links and to launch her own charity, Chances for Children, in the US. This decision was criticised by the British press.

November 1996: Publication of Autobiography

In November 1996, Sarah Ferguson published her autobiography "Sarah: My Story" and undertook a promotional tour.

1996: Publication of 'My Story'

In 1996, Sarah Ferguson's first autobiography, "My Story", was published and received poor reviews.

2000: In Search of the Spirit Documentary

In 2000, Sarah Ferguson co-produced and served as presenter in a documentary for BBC television called "In Search of the Spirit".

September 2003: Co-host on BBC Radio 2

In September 2003, Sarah Ferguson was a co-host for three days on BBC Radio 2's afternoon show Steve Wright.

2003: Joined the American Cancer Society

In 2003, Sarah Ferguson joined the American Cancer Society at a congressional briefing, becoming a founding supporter of the Great American Weigh In.

May 2004: Host of Peter Pan DVD Featurette

In May 2004, Sarah Ferguson hosted an eleven-minute production featurette on Universal's DVD Peter Pan, titled The Legacy of Pan.

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2004: Spokesperson of SOS Children's Villages – USA

In 2004, Sarah Ferguson was named the official spokesperson of SOS Children's Villages – USA.

2005: Global Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities

In 2005, Sarah Ferguson became a global ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

2006: Established The Sarah Ferguson Foundation

In 2006, Sarah Ferguson established The Sarah Ferguson Foundation in Toronto, aimed at supporting charities internationally that serve children and families in dire need.

2006: Founded Hartmoor LLC

In 2006, using income from her work as a film producer and writer, Sarah Ferguson founded Hartmoor LLC in the US to support her "career in publishing, media and public speaking".

2007: Joined Advisory Council of the Ophelia Project

In 2007, Sarah Ferguson joined the Advisory Council of the Ophelia Project, an American initiative aimed to support people dealing with relational and other non-physical forms of aggression.

2007: Considered Launching Duchess Originals Homeware

In 2007, Sarah Ferguson raised the possibility of launching a "Duchess Originals" homeware range, similar to Prince Charles's Duchy Originals.

2007: Interview on Divorce Decision

In a 2007 interview, Sarah Ferguson reflected on the decision to finalise her divorce from Prince Andrew, citing her desire to work and the incompatibility of commercial ventures with royal status.

May 2008: The Duchess in Hull Premiered

In May 2008, "The Duchess in Hull", a two-part film featuring Sarah Ferguson assisting a family on a council estate in Hull to enhance their lifestyle, premiered on ITV1.

November 2008: Duchess and Daughters: Their Secret Mission aired on ITV1

On November 6, 2008, "Duchess and Daughters: Their Secret Mission", a documentary in which Sarah Ferguson traveled to Romania and Turkey to investigate the poor treatment of children in institutions, was shown on ITV1.

2008: Patron of Humanitas and Ambassador for Anti-Poverty Campaign

In 2008, Sarah Ferguson became patron of Humanitas and an ambassador for New York mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-poverty campaign.

2008: Donations by Sarah Ferguson Foundation

In 2008, The Sarah Ferguson Foundation spent around $400,000 on donations.

June 2009: Sought advice on Mothers Army company

In June 2009, Sarah Ferguson emailed Jeffrey Epstein to ask for his advice on how to "start The Mothers Army company so it can be commercial".

August 2009: The Duchess on the Estate shown on ITV1

In August 2009, "The Duchess on the Estate", a documentary focusing on Northern Moor, Manchester, was broadcasted on ITV1. Sarah Ferguson's report on the suburb area in Manchester caused criticism for exaggerating crime in the area.

August 2009: Discussed Sarah Ferguson Brand with Epstein

In August 2009, Sarah Ferguson wrote to Jeffrey Epstein again to discuss "my Sarah Ferguson Brand" and thanked him "for being the brother I have always wished for".

2009: Hartmoor LLC collapsed

In 2009, Hartmoor LLC, founded by Sarah Ferguson, collapsed, leaving her with debts of £630,000; she also faced financial disputes with three firms and was summoned to court for unpaid bills.

2009: Producing Role in The Young Victoria

In 2009, Sarah Ferguson played a producing role in the Jean-Marc Vallée film "The Young Victoria", starring Emily Blunt, and conceived the film based on Queen Victoria's early years.

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2010: Supporter of the Mullany Fund

In 2010, Sarah Ferguson became a supporter of the Mullany Fund, which supports British students wishing to study medicine or physiotherapy.

June 2011: Finding Sarah Premiered

In June 2011, Sarah Ferguson had the leading role on "Finding Sarah", a mini-series on the Oprah Winfrey Network. In this show she talked about her struggles through life and financial issues.

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2011: Global Ambassador for Not For Sale

In 2011, Sarah Ferguson became the global ambassador for Not For Sale, a charity focused on human slavery.

2011: Publication of 'Finding Sarah'

In 2011, Sarah Ferguson published a second autobiography, "Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself", which addressed her financial difficulties and public challenges.

2013: Founded Key To Freedom

In 2013, Sarah Ferguson, along with her former husband and their daughters, founded Key To Freedom, a business structure for women in vulnerable situations in India.

2014: Ambassador for Institute of Global Health Innovation

In 2014, Sarah Ferguson was appointed an ambassador for the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London.

2015: Involvement with Manuel Fernandez

Around 2015, Sarah Ferguson became closely involved with entrepreneur Manuel Fernandez.

2016: Investment in vVoosh

In 2016, Sarah Ferguson publicly appeared with Manuel Fernandez and invested in his tech start-up vVoosh, also joining the board of its affiliated charity.

2018: Met Jay Bloom

In 2018, Sarah Ferguson first met Jay Bloom in Las Vegas which developed into a business friendship.

2018: Merger of Children in Crisis with Street Child

In 2018, on the 25th anniversary of Children in Crisis's foundation, Sarah Ferguson merged her charity with Street Child, becoming a patron of the organization.

June 2019: Patron of Natasha Allergy Research Foundation

From June 2019, Sarah Ferguson served as patron of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, which was established in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse.

June 2019: Buckingham Palace tour for Pegasus Group

In June 2019, Prince Andrew arranged a private tour of Buckingham Palace for Jay Bloom and Michael Evers from the U.S. cryptocurrency mining company Pegasus Group Holdings, who had agreed to pay Sarah Ferguson up to £1.4 million as a "brand ambassador".

July 2019: Second Palace Visit

In July 2019 Jay Bloom made a second palace visit.

October 2019: Contract with Alphabet Capital

In October 2019, Sarah Ferguson signed a contract via Alphabet Capital and was paid over £200,000 for work done for Pegasus.

2019: Producing TV documentary about Prince Albert's mother

In 2019, Sarah Ferguson announced that she was producing a TV documentary about Prince Albert's mother Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, focusing on her separation from her husband Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

April 2020: Launched Storytime with Fergie and Friends

In April 2020, Sarah Ferguson started "Storytime with Fergie and Friends", a YouTube series where she and authors read stories to children during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

June 2020: Launch of Sarah's Trust

In June 2020, Sarah Ferguson launched her new charitable foundation called Sarah's Trust, which provided aid for NHS, care home and hospice staff.

July 2020: Judging Pilot for Dancing with Horses

In July 2020, Sarah Ferguson was a judge on the pilot for Fox's "Dancing with Horses", but the production and distribution were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2020: Possible Launch of Duchess Inc. and Duchess Collection

In 2020, Sarah Ferguson was reported to be possibly launching a lifestyle brand, Duchess Inc., and designed a range of tea and biscuits called the Duchess Collection in aid of her charity Sarah's Trust.

July 2021: Little Red News episodes aired

From March to July 2021, Sarah Ferguson's YouTube channel showed 10 short episodes of "Little Red News", featuring characters from her book series, Little Red.

March 2022: Visit to Denver and Poland

In March 2022, Sarah Ferguson visited Denver as a keynote speaker and traveled to Poland to meet with Ukrainian refugees and help her charity organise goods donated by UK citizens.

May 2022: Co-founded Vestapol Films

In May 2022, Sarah Ferguson co-founded Vestapol Films, an independent production house based in Paris.

June 2022: Visit to Croatia

In June 2022, Sarah Ferguson visited Croatia to promote the Montessori Group's work on providing help for Ukrainian refugees and supporting children.

July 2022: Sarah's Trust Funds Computers for Ukrainian Refugees

In July 2022, Sarah Ferguson's charity secured money to fund £14,000-worth of computers for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

2022: Purchase of Belgravia townhouse

In 2022, Sarah Ferguson purchased a townhouse in London's Belgravia for £4.25 million as an investment for her daughters.

May 2023: Launched Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah podcast

In May 2023, Sarah Ferguson launched "Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah", a weekly podcast with Sarah Thomson, which premiered in June 2023.

June 2023: Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah podcast premiered

In June 2023, "Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah", the weekly podcast launched in May by Sarah Ferguson and Sarah Thomson, officially premiered.

September 2025: End of Natasha Allergy Research Foundation Patronage

In September 2025, Sarah Ferguson's tenure as patron of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation ends.

October 2025: Dropped from ITV's Loose Women and This Morning

In October 2025, Sarah Ferguson was reportedly dropped as a guest from ITV's "Loose Women" and "This Morning", with insiders stating there were no plans for future appearances.

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2025: End of Patronage of Teenage Cancer Trust

In 2025, Sarah Ferguson's role as patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust concluded.

2025: End of Teenage Cancer Trust Patronage

In 2025, Sarah Ferguson's tenure as patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust will end, concluding her long-standing involvement with the charity that started in 1990.