Sarah Ferguson's Desperate Bid to Work for Jeffrey Epstein: A Housekeeper's Insider Perspective
As an executive housekeeper with five years of experience serving billionaires and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, I was stunned to read about Sarah Ferguson's email to Jeffrey Epstein, practically begging to become his "house assistant." This role, often called a household manager or executive assistant, is exhausting and thankless, requiring long hours and deep trust. Ferguson's plea highlights not only her desperation but also her alarming closeness to the convicted sex offender, revealing much about the world of elite domestic staff.
The Reality of Managing Elite Households
Household managers are the eyes and ears of their employers, overseeing everything from budgets to party guest lists. They must anticipate their principal's needs and make pre-emptive decisions. In grand homes, hidden cameras are common, with staff warning each other about surveillance in everyday objects. For Epstein, this likely explains how compromising photos of high-profile guests were captured. Ferguson's offer suggests she believed she could handle sensitive information and household secrets, but she underestimated the grueling nature of the job.
In an email dated 16 May 2010, released by the US Department of Justice, the former Duchess of York, then 50, wrote, "But why I don't understand, Don't you just get me to be your house assistant. I am the most capable and desperately need the money." Just months after Epstein served jail time for procuring a child for prostitution, she pleaded, "Please Jeffrey, think about it." Such roles pay £45,000 to £80,000 in the UK, but Ferguson, who once spent that on shoes without blinking, would have struggled with 7am starts and 11pm finishes.
The Dark Side of Extreme Wealth and Privilege
The Epstein files have shed new light on the unsettling behaviors of the ultra-rich. Extreme wealth often turns people into monsters who believe rules don't apply to them. Misogyny is rampant, with women referred to as "assets" or "deliveries." Wives are seen as obstacles, described as "boring" or "in the way." I've witnessed this firsthand: wealthy men chase younger women in exclusive settings, assuming they are escorts or "ski bunnies." Many clients only date women under 30, dismissing older women as "past it."
In one instance, a South African banker flirted with me in front of his wife and later played pornography on his phone to gauge my reaction. Such incidents are common, and staff are often treated as invisible. Contracts may forbid speaking unless spoken to, and families forget names, referring to staff as "Nanny number three" or "Dusty Cleaner." The priority is always the employer's comfort, even if it means staff go without coats in the rain.
Perks and Pitfalls of Serving the Super-Rich
While there are perks like travel to exotic destinations and designer gifts, the reality is harsh. Staff get no time off, proper meals, or introductions to guests. The ultra-rich are hopeless at practical tasks—unable to use a toaster despite owning £50,000 ovens. A Saudi prince once tipped me £100 for flipping a fuse box switch, something Ferguson likely couldn't do. Trust is scarce; employers obsess over theft, blaming staff for missing money or jewelry without apology.
Racism is rife, especially toward Filipina staff, whose accents are mocked or who are kept from children. Wastefulness abounds, with homemade food thrown away and money spent on therapists to cure misery. Women are judged on appearance over education, and divorce is discussed casually. As the Epstein files show, in this world, anything can happen, and Ferguson's plea is a stark reminder of the desperation and disconnect within elite circles.
