by Susan E. Carr

Created on: June 02, 2010   Last Updated: June 13, 2010

A picture is worth a thousand words, or in this case, the Sarah Ferguson interview which was conducted by Oprah Winfrey on national television aired on June 1. It was a sad and sorry interview and of that there is no question.  Oprah asked some hard questions, but there certainly were others that could have been asked.  At the same time, Sarah did not really commit a “crime”, but certainly displayed a “lack of judgement” in her quest to find some ready cash to service what appears to be mounting debt. 

In truth, except for the fact that she was “set up” for a fall, this particular case is basically not the business of anyone outside of her immediate family.  However, this is yet another instance of the negativity that can/does surround people who are celebrity/royal/international status. Albeit anyone can get into financial difficulty and distress, regardless of whom they are or what they own.  Different people have different ways and means of handling the accompanying stress, and often this will come in the form of drinking, over-eating, smoking and so on.   

The Duchess of York made a point of mentioning "self hatred" during this interview.  She also mentioned the negative impact events have had on her life, such as the death of Diana, her mother, a close friend.  She discussed her struggles with weight loss, the things that have brought her to a point of self-destruction.  This spiral downward has also included problems in her personal business affairs. 

Sarah does have redeeming qualities, which include her charities for children.  She is somewhat popular in America, while not as much in her own country.  This may be due to the fact that she has "pulled off" a few other capers in her past, and is not looked upon as "benignly" there.    

Sarah's interview with Oprah began with her admission that the problem began with the quest to help a "friend" find money.  The "friend" remained anonymous.  Oprah's interview included significant questions around helping a friend find money when Sarah was so obviously in debt.   It is during this first line of questioning that Sarah did herself the greatest disservice.  We will never know whether or not the "friend" really does exist - but further questioning, observance of Sarah's own body language and the continuance

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