Long before she met Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson had a passionate relationship with motor racing entrepreneur Paddy McNally. The former Duchess of York dated McNally from 1982 to 1985, and even after their split, they remained close. Their sex life was notably loud, according to former Formula One world champion James Hunt.
A Noisy Affair
Hunt once stayed in a hotel room next to Ferguson and McNally during a race weekend. He described her as "the loudest woman I've ever heard," according to Caroline Graham in the Daily Mail. Hunt was furious because her "screams of passion had kept him awake all night." He would later tease Ferguson by yelling "Oh Paddy! Oh Paddy!" whenever she walked past, which she took in good humour.
McNally had built a fortune estimated at £600 million through his Formula One hospitality business. After their split, Ferguson nicknamed him "The Toad" but remained on good terms. She had met him while working as a nanny for his two sons.
Ultimatum at the Grand Prix
Ferguson reportedly dreamed of marrying McNally, despite a 22-year age gap. At the 1985 Italian Grand Prix, she gave him an ultimatum: "Marry me or else." According to Hunt, "Of course, Paddy chose the 'Or else'." The relationship ended amicably, and McNally continued to support her over the decades.
A source told The Sun: "Paddy always looked after Sarah, and at times over the past four decades she needed a lot of looking after. He never abandoned her in life and, even in his final days, he allowed her safe sanctuary at his home in Verbier." McNally's Swiss chalet was known as "the cocaine castle."
Royal Connections
Ferguson later said of McNally: "He taught me so much about life. Whenever I wanted advice, I turned to him because he was so worldly wise." McNally valued her royal connections; her father was polo manager for the Duke of Edinburgh and later King Charles. Shortly after splitting from McNally, Ferguson met Prince Andrew, then second-in-line to the throne.
