Sarah Ferguson could become connected to a multimillion-pound fortune following the death of her longtime friend and former partner, racing entrepreneur Paddy McNally.

The Formula One hospitality pioneer, who died aged 88 after a long illness, was reported to have built a fortune estimated at around £600 million. 

McNally and Ferguson shared a close relationship for decades, with reports suggesting he continued to support her through some of the most difficult periods of her life.

The former Duchess of York is said to have stayed at McNally’s £15 million Swiss chalet in Verbier after she and her former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, left Royal Lodge earlier this year.

“Paddy always looked after Sarah, and at times over the past four decades she needed a lot of looking after,” a source told The Sun. 

“He never abandoned her in life and even in his final days allowed her safe sanctuary at his home in Verbier.”

Ferguson and McNally first met before her marriage to Prince Andrew, when she worked as a nanny for his two sons following the death of his wife, Anne Downing. 

The pair later began a romantic relationship, which ended after several years when McNally did not propose following an ultimatum from Ferguson at the Italian Grand Prix.

Despite their split, the pair remained close, with Ferguson previously describing McNally as a trusted adviser and even a “father figure” who offered guidance throughout her life.

In a biography of Andrew, author Andrew Lownie quoted Ferguson reflecting on McNally’s influence, saying: “He taught me so much about life. 

Whenever I wanted advice, I turned to him because he was so worldly wise. He seemed to have seen and done everything.”