Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was desperate. Almost a decade and a half after her highly public divorce from the former prince in 1996, Ferguson – better known to many as “Fergie” – owed tens of thousands of pounds in rent, was feeling alone, and in search of a new career.
On all of these tribulations, Ferguson sought help and advice from her friend: Jeffrey Epstein.
CNN’s examination of dozens of files in the Justice Department’s “Epstein library” found that Ferguson continually showered Epstein with praise, including after his 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Messagesshowthat Ferguson affectionately referred to Epstein as her “spectacular and special friend,” “the brother I have always wished for,” and told him “I am so proud of you” while he was serving jail time. More than once, Ferguson quipped that Epstein should marry her.
The former duchess, now 66, sought to lean on Epstein for financial help, repeatedlyinquiringwhether she could borrow money from the financier and asking him to employ her as his “house assistant.” CNN’s review also found that even after Ferguson criticized Epstein in an interview by tying him to pedophilia, in private, she was remorseful and apologetic to Epstein for those public comments.
Ferguson is one of many public figures whose close ties to the late convicted child sex offender have newly come to light through the millions of Epstein-related files released by the Justice Department.
Her ex-husband, the former Prince Andrew, has been publicly disgraced for his own association with Epstein: He was thrown out of the monarchy; made to relinquish his titles; moved out of his longtime home in the Crown’s Windsor Estate; and in February, arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Six companies linked to Ferguson are shutting down in the aftermath of the release of the Epstein files, CNNpreviously reported.
Ferguson has not been accused of crimes related to Epstein, and the appearance of one’s name in the Epstein files does not suggest wrongdoing. CNN has reached out to a representative for Ferguson for comment.
Epstein still had months left of his 18-month jail sentence in early April of 2009 when he received an email from Ferguson. She wrote that she was landing in Palm Beach in a few hours and she wanted to know whether she could see Epstein during her layover for a cup of tea.
Epstein, who was given work-release privileges that allowed him to leave jail for up to 12 hours a day, six days a week,responded: “yes.” (It is not clear whether the two ultimately saw each other that day.)
Two days later, Epstein wrotean emailto Ferguson that began with the words: “you look great.” In the message, Epstein laid out his vision for a company that Ferguson could run called “Mothers Army,” an initiative aimed at helping mothers in need that would be funded by corporate sponsors.
Ferguson sounded delighted.
“My dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey,” shewrote back. “You are a legend, and I am so proud of you.” She continued on to write that she had “read and devoured” Epstein’s email, and that she planned to get back to him with a “business plan.”
“Thanks for being such a great friend,” sheadded, before signing the email with “Lots of love” and “Xxxx.”
