Sarah Ferguson paid eye-watering salary despite working just 20 days a year

For most people in the world, the daily slog of the 9 to 5 is simply an avoidable part of life.

However, it's clear that for a lucky few, such a notion is beyond alien to them, with many of the rich and famous, alongside certain members of the royal family, being no exception.

And that's exactly the case for Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of former Duke of York Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who reportedly earned an eye-watering salary despite working just 20 days a year.

According to royal author Andrew Lownie, the 66-year-old, commonly known as 'Fergie', raked in a six-figure salary for less than a month's work.

Lownie claims, per the Daily Express, that the mother-of-two reportedly made £268k ($350k) working as a spokesperson for World Online.

The company in question hired her for the role back in June 1999 after its marketing director, Rob van der Linden, set out the terms on behalf of founder Nina Brink, a close friend of Sarah’s.

Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson was reportedly paid a colossal six-figure sum for just 20 days of work (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The arrangement was a pretty generous one indeed, given that Fergie would collect the colossal paycheck plus VAT for, let's face it, very limited duties.

And it wasn't just a hefty salary, as she also enjoyed a load of perks attached to the role.

As per Lownie's Substack, Fergie gained access to the company’s private jet for European trips, first-class flights elsewhere, top-end hotels with meals covered, limousine travel, an assistant, security and full make-up and styling support. The letter setting all this out insisted on confidentiality.

Lownie says that the former Duchess of York and Brink had grown close at the time, given that they both shared similar pressures over their public image.

The mother of two lost her courtesy title 'Duchess of York' earlier in October (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Sarah's ex-husband, Andrew, who she divorced in 1996, was officially stripped of his royal titles and honours by his older brother, King Charles III, earlier this month (6 November) due to new allegations surrounding his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

She lost her courtesy title 'Duchess of York' earlier in October, reverting to her maiden name, Sarah Ferguson.

Meanwhile, their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will not be affected.

They remain princesses under King George V’s 1917 Letters Patent, which grants the style to all children of a sovereign’s sons.

Their positions in the line of succession remain unchanged - Andrew is 8th, Beatrice 9th, and Eugenie 12th.

It's also since been revealed that Beatrice had been handed a new role following her dad's exile from the royal family.

Tyla have reached out to Sarah Ferguson's Trust for comment.