Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, faced a significant scandal in May 2010 when she was caught on video offering access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, in exchange for a substantial payment. The incident occurred in a lavish Mayfair apartment, where Ferguson was seen with a cigarette and a half-empty bottle of wine, discussing a deal with an undercover journalist posing as a businessman. "That opens up everything you would ever wish for," she told the man, promising to facilitate access to Prince Andrew for £500,000 (approximately $1.01 million). The footage, released by the now-defunct News of the World, shocked the public and highlighted Ferguson's ongoing financial struggles.

In a subsequent interview with Oprah Winfrey, Ferguson admitted to being "in the gutter" and acknowledged her poor judgment during the incident. "It is true that my financial situation is under stress, however, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgement and I am very sorry that this has happened," she stated. Historian Andrew Lownie described the scandal as extraordinary, noting that many believed Ferguson would not recover from it. However, she quickly re-emerged in the public eye, portraying herself as a victim who had learned from her mistakes.

Ferguson's financial troubles date back to her marriage to Prince Andrew, which ended in divorce in 1996. Lownie explained that her extravagant spending habits began soon after she joined the royal family. She often racked up large bills at luxury retailers and maintained a lavish lifestyle, which included hiring extensive staff and renting expensive homes. Reports indicated that her debts ranged from £1 million to £5 million at the time of her divorce. Buckingham Palace issued a statement distancing itself from her financial dealings, emphasizing that her business ventures were separate from her royal duties.

Despite her financial woes, Ferguson found success as an author and spokesperson, particularly with Weight Watchers. She also engaged in charitable work, establishing her own organizations. However, by the late 2000s, her financial situation deteriorated again, leading to the collapse of her U.S.-based company, Hartmoor, which was burdened with millions in debt. Lownie noted that rather than declare bankruptcy, Ferguson promised to repay a fraction of her creditors, which left her vulnerable to borrowing money from others, including Jeffrey Epstein.

Ferguson admitted to accepting £15,000 from Epstein in 2011, but reports suggested he had financially supported her for years. Following the release of emails in which she referred to Epstein as a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend," several charities severed ties with her. This correspondence contributed to the removal of titles from both her and Prince Andrew.

Despite their divorce, Ferguson has lived with Prince Andrew at the Royal Lodge since 2003. However, with King Charles stripping Andrew of his royal titles and planning to relocate him by the end of 2025, Ferguson's future remains uncertain. Lownie remarked that while Ferguson has a history of bouncing back from scandals, her current situation is precarious. "She doesn't seem to have any friends, she doesn't have any money," said biographer Peter Thompson, emphasizing the need for her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, to support her. The prospect of Ferguson writing a book has raised concerns within her family, as they worry about the potential fallout from her past actions. Lownie concluded that the public may not have seen the last of Sarah Ferguson, suggesting she is unlikely to fade quietly from the spotlight.