Sarah Ferguson has been publishing books since 1989, with her latest children’s book due out this year, but her extensive publishing career came at a large monetary cost.
WATCH: Sarah Ferguson confirms: Yes I live with my handsome prince
The Duchess of York recently revealed she will be writing her 26th book which will be ‘a guide for modern living’ aimed at young readers.
However, Fergie‘s first-ever foray into publishing was a child’s book, Budgie the Little Helicopter, which she wrote in 1989 when she was still married to the Duke of York.
While she’s been publishing children’s books for the last 30 years, arguably her most famous (and most successful) book was her autobiography, a book which firmly established Fergie in the world of publishing while simultaneously cutting all ties with the royal family, specifically the Queen and Princess Diana.
Following her divorce from Prince Andrew, Fergie was set to receive a large sum of money from Prince Andrew’s trust fund, but in order to get her hands on the Crown’s millions, the Palace wanted Sarah to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Such an agreement would have meant Fergie was not allowed to discuss her life as a member of the Royal Family, nor touch on the many difficulties she faced.
In a move that shocked many, Fergie chose to not sign, and instead published her sensational 1996 autobiography My Story.
The book would not only cause a rift between Fergie and Diana but it also took years for Queen Elizabeth to forgive her ex-daughter-in-law, even snubbing Fergie from Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding in 2011.
In contrast, Princess Diana chose to sign a confidentiality agreement when she divorced Prince Charles, walking away with $30 million, $55 million in today’s money.
Speaking of her decision to walk away from the agreement, Fergie sat down with British broadcaster Michael Parkinson.
“I’d run up a lot of debts and I needed to get out to work,” Fergie told Parkinson.
“You can’t be a member of the Royal Family, really, in this country and work.”
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew have two daughters together, Princess Beatrice, 31, and Princess Eugenie, 29.
For more royals news pick up a copy of this month’s New Idea Royals magazine
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