Sarah, Duchess of York lbs) labelling her unflatteringly as the "Duchess of Pork". Biographer Sarah Bradford argued in her book that Sarah was unable to deal with her husband's duties as a naval officer which required him to stay away from home for long periods. By 1991, the marriage was in trouble, and the couple had drifted apart. While her husband was away on naval or royal duties, the Duchess was frequently seen in the company of other men, notably Texan multimillionaire Steve Wyatt. The Duke and Duchess of York announced their separation on 19 March 1992. Following the separation, the palace announced that
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough offer financially, as his estates were deeply in debt. Sarah had a rival for Churchill in Catherine Sedley, a wealthy mistress of James II and the choice of Churchill's father, Sir Winston Churchill, who was anxious to restore the family's fortune. John may have hoped to take Sarah as a mistress in place of the Duchess of Cleveland, who had recently departed for France, but surviving letters from Sarah to John show her unwillingness to assume that role. In 1677, Sarah's brother Ralph died, and she and her sister, Frances, became co-heirs of the Jennings estates in Hertfordshire and Kent.