Fergie's Huge Fine for Excess Luggage
The former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, was known for her lavish spending, which included spending an astonishing £515 on a teddy bear she could not technically fly home.
Excess Luggage Incident
Shortly after marrying Prince Andrew, then known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Sarah Ferguson was fined nearly £1,000 for carrying over fifty pieces of excess luggage on a first-class flight from New York. The collection of cases contained an estimated £33,000 worth of items she purchased during her trip, including the £515 teddy bear.
“Not even Joan Collins has this much,” said a Heathrow baggage handler at the time, highlighting her extravagant spending.
The palace did not disclose who covered Sarah's expenses on that occasion.
Financial Habits and Lifestyle
Sarah’s financial advisor, John Bryan, revealed she was spending over £860,000 annually. This amount included £150,000 on gifts, £50,000 on flowers, and another £50,000 on parties.
Early Work Experience
Before her marriage, Sarah had a typical upper-class girl’s work history, including cleaning ski chalets and working at a publishing company. She shared on the Swedish TV show Skavlan:
“I cleaned lavatories when I was 18 and graduates' bedrooms; they all left it very messy. And then the waitress in a strudel house.”
These menial jobs contrast sharply with her later extravagant lifestyle.
Author's summary: Sarah Ferguson's extravagant lifestyle led to a £1,000 fine for excess luggage, showcasing her lavish spending habits despite her humble early jobs.