Sarah Margaret Ferguson, born October 15, 1959, is a British author, philanthropist, and public speaker, widely known as Fergie and formerly Sarah, Duchess of York.[1][2] She is the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, second son of Queen Elizabeth II and brother to King Charles III, with whom she shares daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.[1][2] Raised in Dummer, Hampshire, Ferguson attended Queen's Secretarial College and worked in public relations, publishing, art galleries, and graphic design before reconnecting with the royal family through mutual friend Diana, Princess of Wales.[2] She began dating Andrew in 1985 and married him on July 23, 1986, at Westminster Abbey, becoming Her Royal Highness The Duchess of York and joining him in royal duties and overseas engagements.[1][2] The couple separated in 1992 amid intense media scrutiny and divorced in 1996, though they have remained amicable; Ferguson later cited tabloid pressure and her desire for commercial independence as factors.[1][2] Post-divorce, Ferguson built a multifaceted career as a bestselling author of autobiographies like *Sarah: My Story* (1996) and children's books such as *Ballerina Rosie* and *Tea for Ruby*, alongside roles as a television personality, film producer, and entrepreneur.[1][5][6] She served as Weight Watchers' longest-running U.S. spokesperson, growing membership from 6 to 32 million, and advocated for the American Heart Association and British Heart Foundation on women's heart disease.[3] Her philanthropy spans over 30 years, focusing on children's education and wellness. She founded Children in Crisis in 1993, educating over 1.4 million children worldwide, later merging it into Street Child before launching Sarah's Trust, which aided over 150,000 UK frontline workers during the pandemic.[3] A grandmother to three, she resides in Windsor with her dogs and continues global advocacy, including recent trips supporting refugees.[3] In 2025, Britannica noted her ongoing impact amid personal challenges like breast cancer.[2]