Sarah Ferguson TOPICS: Celebrity Inspiration Life Balance Empowerment Motivation Family Emcee FEE CATEGORY:* 50.0k to 75.0k TRAVELS FROM: * Video Profile Program Outlines Books & Videos Request This Speaker

Sarah Ferguson: Profile

The Duchess of York, formerly Miss Sarah Ferguson, is the second daughter of the late Major Ronald Ferguson and his former wife, the late Mrs. Hector Barrantes. The Duchess of York married The Prince Andrew, second son of Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey on 23rd July 1986, at which time His Royal Highness was created The Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh. The Duke and Duchess of York have two daughters, Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York (age 18) and Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York (age 17).

The Duke and Duchess divorced in 1996 and the couple is frequently cited as a model for civilized divorce and successful co-parenting.

For the past 12 years Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, has successfully balanced motherhood, health advocacy and charity work, with a diverse and challenging international career.

Highlights

Business
In 2006 the Duchess founded Hartmoor, a lifestyle and media company based in New York that is devoted to promoting wellness and supporting motherhood. The company earmarks a portion of its profits for charity through the Sarah Ferguson Foundation. It is the Duchess's vision to pursue successful business ventures that will in turn have a positive social impact

Motherhood/Wellness
In 2007 the American Cancer Society named the Duchess of York its organization's Mother of the Year.

For ten years the Duchess of York has served as U.S. spokesperson for Weight Watchers International, Inc. The Duchess remains a popular role model for millions who struggle with weight management and in recent years she has emerged as an international voice on healthy weight.

The Duchess was a founding supporter of The American Cancer Society's “Great American Weigh In”, an annual campaign (modeled after the Society's “Great American Smoke Out”) aimed at raising awareness of the link between excess weight and cancer. In March 2003 she joined the American Cancer Society at a congressional briefing.

Charity & Philanthropy
In 2007 the Duchess established the Sarah Ferguson Foundation in New York to fund programs that aid children and families in dire need. In 1993 the Duchess founded Children in Crisis, based in London, and she remains active its mission to provide aid to forgotten children around the world. The Duchess recently toured CiC projects in Poland, Albania, Sierra Leone and Russia.

Since 2005 the Duchess has served as a Global Ambassador for World Children's Day, an international campaign produced by Ronald McDonald House Charities. In 2004, The Duchess became a spokesman for SOS Children's Villages, the world's largest independent, non-political child welfare organization providing stability for abandoned and abused children.

In Britain The Duchess is a long-standing patron to a number of British charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, Tommy's (its charity for babies), and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Publishing & Recording
In mid-2008 the Duchess will publish her first historical romance novel called Hartmoor, which is set in 1812 and draws vividly on her own noble ancestry in Ireland.

The Duchess is a popular children's author. Among her titles: a four book series about The Adventures of Little Red; A book and video/TV series about Budgie the Helicopter; and two books for young readers called The Royal Switch and Bright Lights.

For Weight Watchers the Duchess of York published: Energy Breakthrough; Reinventing Yourself; Win the Weight Game; Dieting with The Duchess; Dining with The Duchess

In 1996 The Duchess published her best-selling autobiography My Story. In January 2003, the Duchess published: What I Know Now: Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way.

The Duchess co-wrote two authoritative books about the travels of Queen Victoria with historian Benita Stoney.

An accomplished amateur photographer, in 2003 The Duchess published a collection of images in an art book for charity titled Reflections.

In October 2004 Walt Disney Feature Animation released a special DVD The Cat That Looked at a King, with the Duchess's voice in the role of the Queen. In May 2004 the Duchess hosted an eleven-minute production featurette on Universal's DVD The Legacy of Pan.

Broadcasting/Film/Public Speaking
The Duchess is a special correspondent to NBC's Today Show for which she presents inspiring segments for a series called “From the Heart.”

The Duchess is a frequent guest on national talk shows and she has also served a sub-host for programs such as CNN's Larry King Live and ABC's The View. In Britain the Duchess has served as guest editor on BBC Radio 4 “Today” program and regularly contributes to BBC Radio 2's primetime lifestyle show “Steve Wright”. Previously she co-produced and served as presenter in a documentary for BBC television called “In Search of the Spirit.” In 1998 she hosted an 8-part panel talk show on Britain's SkyOne television.

The Duchess of York will have a producing role in the latest Martin Scorsese film about the early years of Queen Victoria's rule. Young Victoria, to be scripted by Julian Fellowes, who wrote Gosford Park, will focus on the often turbulent period after she became queen at the age of 18, and her romance and marriage to Prince Albert. Film production began in mid-2007.

The Duchess is a frequent motivational speaker in the US and Europe.

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