Humiliation for Sarah Ferguson as her £19m former theatre collapses | Royal

The former Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson is facing renewed financial jeopardy after a theatre investment firm she once led collapsed with losses of £19 million.

Gate Ventures went into administration in 2020 having haemorrhaged £19 million, with investigators identifying “unexplained” loans totalling more than £500,000 made during the two years Ferguson was at the helm.

According to a May 2026 liquidators’ report seen by The Sun, those conducting the investigation are confident a “substantial recovery” can be secured on behalf of investors who suffered losses.

A loss in court could saddle Ferguson with substantial legal bills and potentially tip her into bankruptcy — the latest chapter in a decades-long struggle with debt that stretches back to her separation from Prince Andrew in 1996. Her spokesman declined to comment.

What is Sarah Ferguson’s financial history?

Emails unsealed earlier this year showed Ferguson had turned to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein for financial help, pleading for money to cover her rent and writing:

“I am at your service. Just marry me.”

Last October, King Charles moved to remove both Ferguson and Prince Andrew from Royal Lodge, the Windsor Estate property they had shared for years.

A Belgravia flat she acquired for £4.25 million in 2022 changed hands in 2025 for £3.85 million, crystallising a £400,000 loss.

The Sun reported last month that Ferguson has been staying at Mayrlife, a private Alpine wellness retreat in Austria where rooms cost £2,000 a night.

‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’

‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’