SARAH FERGUSON, THE DUCHESS OF YORK
CEO, Advocate, Philanthropist, and Author
The Duchess of York, formerly Miss Sarah Ferguson, is the second daughter of the late Major Ronald Ferguson and his former wife, the late Mrs. Hector Barrantes. The Duchess of York married The Prince Andrew, second son of Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey on 23rd July 1986, at which time His Royal Highness was created The Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh. The Duke and Duchess of York have two daughters, Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York (age 21) and Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York (age 19).
The Duke and Duchess divorced in 1996 and the couple is frequently cited as a model for civilized divorce and successful co-parenting.
For the past 13 years Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, has successfully balanced motherhood, health advocacy and charity work, with a diverse and challenging international career.
Charity
The newly formed Canadian chapter of The Sarah Ferguson Foundation marks a new juncture in the Duchess of York’s long history of philanthropic work dedicated to making a difference in the lives of suffering children and families throughout the world.
Read more about the Canadian Sarah Ferguson Foundation Chapter here
Motherhood/Wellness
In 2007 the American Cancer Society named the Duchess of York its organization’s Mother of the Year.
For ten years the Duchess of York has served as U.S. spokesperson for Weight Watchers International, Inc. The Duchess remains a popular role model for millions who struggle with weight management and in recent years she has emerged as an international voice on healthy weight.
The Duchess was a founding supporter of The American Cancer Society’s “Great American Weigh In”, an annual campaign (modeled after the Society’s “Great American Smoke Out”) aimed at raising awareness of the link between excess weight and cancer. In March 2003 she joined the American Cancer Society at a congressional briefing.
Publishing & Recording
The Duchess is a popular children’s author. Among her titles: a four book series about The Adventures of Little Red; A book and video/TV series about Budgie the Helicopter; and two books for young readers called The Royal Switch and Bright Lights .
For Weight Watchers the Duchess of York published: Energy Breakthrough; Reinventing Yourself; Win the Weight Game; Dieting with The Duchess; Dining with The Duchess.
In 1996 The Duchess published her best-selling autobiography My Story. In January 2003, the Duchess published: What I Know Now: Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way.
The Duchess co-wrote two authoritative books about the travels of Queen Victoria with historian Benita Stoney.
An accomplished amateur photographer, in 2003 The Duchess published a collection of images in an art book for charity titled Reflections.
In October 2004 Walt Disney Feature Animation released a special DVD The Cat That Looked at a King, with the Duchess’s voice in the role of the Queen. In May 2004 the Duchess hosted an eleven-minute production featurette on Universal’s DVD The Legacy of Pan.
Broadcasting/Film/Public/Speaking
The Duchess is a special correspondent to NBC’s Today Show for which she presents inspiring segments for a series called “From the Heart.”
The Duchess is a frequent guest on national talk shows and she has also served a sub-host for programs such as CNN’s Larry King Live and ABC’s The View. In Britain the Duchess has served as guest editor on BBC Radio 4 “Today” program and regularly contributes to BBC Radio 2’s primetime lifestyle show “Steve Wright”. Previously she co-produced and served as presenter in a documentary for BBC television called “In Search of the Spirit.” In 1998 she hosted an 8-part panel talk show on Britain’s SkyOne television.
Miranda Richardson, Emily Blunt and Sarah Ferguson attend the premiere of Young Victoria in London
The Duchess has produced a film, Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend, which opens in the USA on December 18th 2009. The film, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, scripted by Julian Fellowes and executive produced by Graham King and Martin Scorsese, focuses on the often turbulent period after Victoria became queen at the age of 18, and her romance and marriage to Prince Albert.
The Duchess is a respected motivational speaker in the US and Europe.
