Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, is currently living overseas in exile as she contemplates her next steps, following her deepening involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. This development comes after several charities severed ties with her in September, when it was disclosed that she had emailed the notorious paedophile just weeks after vowing never to communicate with him again. In recent days, further alarming emails have surfaced, released by the US Department of Justice, revealing that Sarah asked Epstein to "marry" her, offered to give his clients tours of Buckingham Palace, and even introduced her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to the convicted sex offender.
The Infamous Interview with Michael Usher
One individual who has experienced private interactions with Sarah Ferguson off-camera is veteran Australian television presenter Michael Usher. He conducted a disastrous interview with her in 2011 for 60 Minutes Australia, coinciding with the same year she sent the controversial email to Epstein. The encounter became so heated that the ex-wife of Prince Andrew stormed out of the room, marking a tumultuous moment in media history.
Demands and Dramatic Exits
Last year, Michael Usher appeared on Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie, where he delved into the awkward and chaotic dealings with the former Duchess. He provided insight into the interview's dynamics, stating, "I had to call her Duchess. She wouldn't let me call her Sarah, lots and lots of airs and graces. But she was fine, and she was relatively sweet. However, there was just this moment... she turned and getting her back into the chair was crazy. She came back and continued the interview, and then it was like a different personality again."
During the uncomfortable discussion about her memoir, Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, Sarah issued a stern warning to Usher, saying, "Don't try and trick me now because I am not going to play this game. Delete that bit." The tension escalated after Usher asked her to review undercover footage where she allegedly offered to sell access to her former partner, Prince Andrew, for substantial sums of money.
The Bizarre Chase in Stockings
After the interview eventually concluded, Michael Usher and his crew exited the premises, only to be pursued by Sarah Ferguson in a surreal incident. Recalling the bizarre moment, Usher, who described the entire encounter as a "hot mess," said, "We walked outside, and the Duchess came running up behind me. She chucked her heels off and she's in her stockings on the lawn. Going 'Michael, how was that?' By that stage, I just said, 'Sarah, if I were you, I'd be asking to go back into the room and do that interview all over again, because I don't know what happened.' Then she goes, 'Oh, well, anyway, who wants to sign some books? I'll sign your book for you. And now, what are your kids names?' And off she went from there."
A 'Train Wreck' of an Encounter
Michael Usher has since reflected on the interview, labeling it a "train wreck" and adding, "She walked out on me three or four times. It was absolutely horrendous." This candid revelation sheds light on the volatile nature of the interaction, highlighting Sarah Ferguson's unpredictable behavior during a period when she was already embroiled in controversy.
The combination of her ongoing scandal with Jeffrey Epstein and this chaotic media appearance paints a complex picture of the former Duchess's public and private struggles. As she remains in exile, these revelations continue to fuel discussions about her conduct and the broader implications for her reputation and royal connections.
