Sarah Ferguson could find herself linked to a multi-million pound fortune following the death of her long-time friend and former partner, racing entrepreneur Paddy McNally.
The Formula 1 hotel pioneer, who died aged 88 following a long illness, is said to have built a fortune estimated at around £600 million.
McNally and Ferguson shared a close relationship for decades, with reports suggesting he continued to support her through some of the most difficult periods of her life.
The former Duchess of York reportedly stayed at McNally’s £15 million Swiss chalet in Verbier after she and her former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, moved out of Royal Lodge earlier this year.
“Paddy has always cared for Sarah, and at times over the past four decades she has needed a lot of care,” a source said. The Sun.
“He never abandoned her in his life and even in her last days, he allowed her to find refuge at his home in Verbier.”
Ferguson and McNally first met before her marriage to Prince Andrew, when she was working as a nanny for his two sons following the death of his wife, Anne Downing.
The pair then began a romantic relationship, which ended after several years when McNally failed to propose following an ultimatum from Ferguson at the Italian Grand Prix.
Despite their separation, the pair remained close, with Ferguson previously describing McNally as a trusted advisor and even a “father figure” who offered him advice throughout his life.
In a biography of Andrew, author Andrew Lownie quoted Ferguson reflecting on McNally’s influence: “He taught me so much about life.
Whenever I needed advice, I turned to him because he was very worldly wise. He seemed to have seen and done everything.
