Paddy McNally, a pioneering figure in Formula One hospitality and a close associate of Sarah Ferguson for over four decades, has died at the age of 88. McNally, who amassed an estimated £600 million fortune, was known for his exclusive 'Paddock Club' ventures and for maintaining a loyal friendship with the Duchess of York through her personal and financial challenges.
McNally, who was nicknamed 'The Toad,' first met Ferguson in the early 1980s when she worked as a chalet girl in Verbier, Switzerland. He was a divorced racing car driver who had transitioned into the nascent F1 hospitality business. He hired Ferguson as a nanny for his sons, Sean and Rollo. At the time, Ferguson was a relative unknown outside of F1 circles and had yet to meet Prince Andrew, whom she would later marry.
McNally's business acumen led to the creation of the Paddock Club, an exclusive trackside hospitality suite offering corporate sponsorship opportunities and access to drivers. This venture became highly successful, contributing significantly to his wealth. Ferguson, with her 'Sloane Ranger' background and connections, is said to have complemented McNally's business by bringing in friends from aristocratic circles.
Their enduring friendship saw McNally provide support to Ferguson, particularly during challenging periods. This included allowing her to stay at his £25 million chalet in Switzerland, reportedly nicknamed 'Cocaine Castle' due to the parties he hosted, during times of public scrutiny, including in recent months amid revelations concerning her association with Jeffrey Epstein. Ferguson was also reportedly at McNally's home after she and Prince Andrew were asked to leave Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
Ferguson, who described McNally as a 'father figure' and 'mentor,' is said to be devastated by his death. Associates familiar with their relationship suggest McNally may have left Ferguson a substantial inheritance, likely structured as a house and cash managed through a trust to ensure she would not deplete it rapidly. He never remarried after his first wife died in 1980.
McNally's business, Allsport Management, was sold in 2006 for £262 million, and he retired in 2011. He was known to have maintained a private life in recent years, though he remained in close contact with Ferguson. He also outlived his elder son, Sean, who died earlier this year.