Questions are being raised about Sarah Ferguson’s income amid backlash over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Several charities linked to the Duchess of York moved to cut ties with her on Sept. 22 after The Mail on Sunday published parts of a 2011 email that Ferguson sent to Epstein offering a “humble apology” weeks after publicly disavowing him.

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However, Ferguson’s charitable patronages are only a small part of her lavish Royal lifestyle, and with all eyes on her, many are wondering how Ferguson makes her money.

Ferguson allegedly does not receive money from the Royal Family, despite still being a staple at many non-official royal events. Since stepping back from public duties in 2022, Ferguson’s ex-husband, Prince Andrew, has not received any public salary. Last year, reports claimed King Charles stopped providing him with taxpayer-funded security and stopped giving him any allowance that he was previously given by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

That said, Ferguson and Andrew are living together on the Windsor Estate, sharing the mansion, Royal Lodge, despite their 1996 split.

Over the years, in addition to allegedly borrowing millions from Epstein, Ferguson has used various money-making schemes to fund her lifestyle. Per the Daily Mail, she earned $4 million in the late 90s and early 2000s from her debut children’s novel Budgie the Little Helicopter, its subsequent TV adaptation, and associated merchandising.

Ferguson has authored upwards of 60 books, from children’s novels to historical fiction, all achieving moderate success to keep her afloat. She became a TV personality, hosting documentaries and making the occasional cameo in shows like Friends.

In 2022, Ferguson began selling her own digital NFT art. She became a podcast host in 2023 and, earlier this year, launched an eco-friendly diaper company.

But debt problems have consistently followed Ferguson. Reports of her depleting finances dominated her post-divorce life before it was alleged in 2011 that she was in $4 million of debt. In 2020, Andrew and Ferguson were engaged in a legal dispute with the owner over a debt from the 2014 purchase of their Swiss chalet after failing to pay the remaining £5 million of the £13.25 million purchase.

The owner agreed to receive half of the amount that she was owed, believing the former couple was under financial strain. She spoke out against the Duchess the following year, after Sarah had purchased a £5 million townhouse in London.

Ferguson’s finances, as well as those of her ex-husband, have long been a source of mystery, and amid her fall from grace, will remain top of mind for the British public.

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