Sarah Ferguson’s Secret Summer Hideaway Revealed As Questions Swirl Over Her Link To Late Billionaire Paddy McNally’s Fortune
Sarah Ferguson has reportedly been spending part of her summer away from the spotlight at a luxurious Swiss retreat once connected to her late former partner, Formula One businessman Paddy McNally.
On the latest episode of Palace Confidential, Daily Mail Editor-at-Large Richard Kay revealed that the former Duchess of York is believed to have stayed at McNally’s “luxuriously appointed” villa in Verbier, Switzerland — a place where she has maintained close connections for decades.
Ferguson and McNally first met in Verbier in the early 1980s, when she worked as a nanny for his children following the death of his wife. Despite their 22-year age gap, the pair began a relationship that lasted from 1982 until 1985, before reportedly ending after Ferguson hoped for a marriage proposal.
However, the two remained close friends long after their romance ended, with McNally continuing to support Ferguson and her daughters by reportedly allowing them access to properties from his European portfolio.
Speaking on Palace Confidential, Kay suggested the quiet Swiss retreat would be an ideal place for Ferguson to stay during the summer months.
“Those places have a completely different vibe during the summer,” Kay explained, describing Verbier as a more peaceful and low-key destination away from the busy winter ski season.
The discussion comes after the death of McNally, who passed away at the age of 88 on July 22 following a long illness. The businessman reportedly left behind a fortune estimated at around £600 million, largely built through the success of his Formula One hospitality company, Allsport Management.
Following his death, speculation emerged over whether Ferguson could inherit part of McNally’s wealth due to their decades-long friendship and his past support of her.
However, Kay suggested that such claims may be unlikely, saying McNally was believed to have already provided significant financial help throughout Ferguson’s life and may have focused his estate planning on other priorities, including charitable causes.
“People like Paddy would have had all sorts of trusts in place,” Kay said, adding that he understood McNally felt he had already done a great deal for Ferguson over the years.
As Ferguson continues to keep a low profile, her connection to McNally’s legacy and her reported Swiss retreat remain a topic of interest among royal watchers.