Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes' Step-son Alleges Controlling Influence, Seeks Court Intervention

The stepson of renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has accused his wife of exerting a "controlling influence" over the famed adventurer for more than two decades. Alex Millington-Cotes is seeking court intervention to ensure his 82-year-old stepfather, who has Parkinson's disease, maintains his "complete free will."

Reports suggest Sir Ranulph has not been seen publicly for over two years and has allegedly been moved between care homes under a false name. Millington-Cotes has launched a GoFundMe page to finance legal action, citing concerns that Sir Ranulph has been "unlawfully deprived of his liberty."

Independent accounts from friends and a business associate corroborate Millington-Cotes's claims. One associate told The Mail On Sunday that Sir Ranulph once spoke of "only ever being allowed 24 hours at a time away from her." Another long-serving friend on Exmoor stated that Sir Ranulph's second wife alienated locals and pushed out long-serving staff shortly after their marriage in 2005, a year after Sir Ranulph's first wife died.

Millington-Cotes, 31, believes his mother, Louise, dominated the relationship from its inception. "Controlling is how I would describe it," he told the publication. "His friends have confirmed how much he changed." He last saw his stepfather in late 2024 and spoke to him on the phone 18 months ago, noting a significant divide emerged in 2018 when his mother allegedly became "unpleasant" and blocked his contact.

Sir Ranulph, often described as the world's greatest living explorer, has a history of extraordinary feats, including being the first to reach both the North and South Poles on foot and crossing Antarctica. Despite undergoing heart surgery and experiencing a heart attack, he climbed Mount Everest in 2009 at the age of 65.

Concerns about Sir Ranulph's well-being have drawn attention from public figures. Shadow Health and Care Secretary Damian Hinds has called for an investigation into any potential failings by the Office of the Public Guardian, the watchdog responsible for individuals who have lost mental capacity.

A care home owner in Wales, where Sir Ranulph was admitted under the name Robert Millington, reported that the explorer was "unlawfully deprived of his liberty." The owner stated Sir Ranulph "is not free to leave and not able to consent to care, treatment and accommodation." During his stay, Sir Ranulph was reportedly not allowed to watch content related to his past expeditions, with his wife claiming it would upset him. He also allegedly only spoke of his late first wife, Ginny.

Millington-Cotes's suspicion is that his stepfather is currently back at home with his mother. He aims to raise £55,000 to fund legal action, potentially seeking a court order to limit his mother's power of attorney and ensure Sir Ranulph can make his own decisions and freely interact with others. He expressed a desire for his stepfather to have "the ability to walk outside, see whoever he wants."