1959
Sarah Margaret Ferguson is born on October 15, 1959, in London, England. As the second daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson and Susan Mary Wright, Sarah enjoys a privileged English upbringing. She attends private boarding school, socializes with members of the royal family and becomes an accomplished horseback rider.
1985
Though they've known each other since childhood, Sarah and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and second son of Queen Elizabeth II, become reacquainted at a premier horse race in England.
1986
On July 23, Sarah marries Prince Andrew at London's Westminster Abbey. The Queen of England, Prince Andrew's mother, bestows the title of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York upon Sarah. The Bristish press affectionately nickname her "Fergie."
1988
On August 8, Princess Beatrice of York, the couple's first daughter, is born in London.
1989
Sarah releases her first children's book, Budgie the Little Helicopter. This inspires a series of books featuring Budgie and his friends, as well as an animated TV series.
1990
On March 23, Prince Andrew and Sarah's youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie of York, is born. She's sixth in the line of succession to the throne.
1991
At 5' 7 1/2'' tall, Sarah weighs in at 200 pounds after the birth of her second daughter. The British press dubs her the "Duchess of Pork," which inspires her to join Weight Watchers. She later becomes Weight Watchers' second spokeswoman.
1992
Rumors about Prince Andrew and Sarah's marital troubles begin to circulate in the press. After a British tabloid, The Daily Mirror, publishes photos of a topless Sarah sunbathing alongside another man, the royal couple officially separates.
1993
Sarah starts her own charitable organization, Children in Crisis. The charity's mission is to help children in some of the world's poorest countries gain access to education.
1996
After four years of official separation, Prince Andrew and Sarah's divorce becomes final. Sarah loses "Her Royal Highness" title but continues to share a home—residing in separate living quarters—with her ex-husband.
Sarah reportedly accepts a meager divorce settlement to maintain a good relationship with the royal family.
1996
Sarah writes her autobiography, My Story. During her American book tour, she makes an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she talks about life as a member of the royal family.
1997
On August 31, 1997, Sarah's fourth cousin, close friend and former sister-in-law Princess Diana of Wales dies in a tragic car accident in Paris.
2003
Sarah releases Little Red, a children's book about a spunky redheaded doll that becomes a series. Over the years, Sarah has also written history books and diet and lifestyle books.
2010
In May 2010, an undercover reporter for Britain's
News of the World newspaper films Sarah allegedly offering access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, in exchange for money.
Sarah sits down with Oprah to discuss her bribery scandal.
