Sarah Ferguson Clears Debts

3 weeks ago 26th Oct 14:00

Britain's Duchess of York has cleared her debts with a multi-million pound television deal.

Sarah Ferguson, 50, will make a "substantial" sum from a £17 million investment package after selling the rights to her best-selling children's books 'Tea For Ruby' and 'Little Red'.

Sarah - the ex-wife of the queen's second son Prince Andrew - said: "I'm pleased the books will be developed by what will be a leading kids' entertainment firm."

The book rights were bought by HandMade, the company set up by the late former Beatle George Harrison.

New studio HandMade Kids will turn Sarah's books into cartoons for the US and Canadian markets.

In September it was revealed that Sarah had been taken to court in the UK by at least three firms over unpaid bills and, earlier this month, she cancelled a lavish 50th birthday over bankruptcy fears.

substantial sum from a £17 million investment package after selling the rights to her best-selling children's books 'Tea For Ruby' and 'Little Red'

Her American 'lifestyle and wellness' company, Hartmoor, recently collapsed with debts of more than £630,000.

Sarah said: "It's been a difficult and challenging time. I wasn't on the Hartmoor management team, I was an employee and an investor and, yes, of course I am very disappointed and upset at what happened.

The Duchess also came close to being declared bankrupt in the 1990s, at one point owing bankers Coutts nearly £5 million.