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CNN Larry King Live
Interview with Sarah Ferguson
Aired January 08, 2002 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LARRY KING, HOST: Tonight Sarah Ferguson. She lost friends and her charity's office space when the World Trade Center collapsed. And she is here to talk about recovering from September 11 and reaching out to the children of Afghanistan. It's all next on LARRY KING LIVE.
We welcome you to another edition of LARRY KING LIVE. Our special guest tonight is Sarah Ferguson, the Dutchess of York. She's the founder of two charitable foundations, Children In Crisis, that is in London, and Chances For Children, that's in New York.
She also has a new book out called "Energy Breakthrough." There you see its cover. "Jumpstart Your Weight Loss And Feel Great." We'll talk about that as well. Lots of things to talk about with the Dutchess of York.
How goes it? Are you more chipper now than last time?
SARA FERGUSON, LOST OFFICES IN WTC: Doing OK. Last time I was running late, wasn't I, in the traffic.
KING: And also, you were recovering, is what you were all about here. Will you briefly explain for those who didn't see the last program what your connection with the World Trade Center was?
FERGUSON: Well, Howard Lutnick from Cantor Fitzgerald has been so kind to us for many many years. In fact, he gives us an office in New York on the 101st floor.
KING: Gave you the office? No rent?
FERGUSON: Gives us an office in Milan as well, for the charity. We sort of were part of his family. And the day it happened on September 11, I was at the "Good Morning America" studios and Johnny, my assistant, was due to be in the office. He suddenly said, an airplane's gone into our office. We just couldn't believe it. I didn't really think it was terrorism. I just couldn't understand what was going on. And as you know Cantor Fitzgerald lost so many families and so many people.
KING: Did you talk to Howard soon after?
FERGUSON: Absolutely. And Allison. I wanted to do so much, but really there was nothing I could do. So the thing we decided to do was start a 9/11 fund in order to raise money to help Howard in any way we could, and also the other victims.
One thing that really got to me, I was worried about the holiday season coming up. How were the children, you know, how were they going to afford the mortgages, the families and the debts and salaries? What was going to happen? So we started a fund called the 9/11 Fund which did go and is still going to pay for the mortgages so the families can be together.
KING: But a lot of funds have been raised. Lot of money has been distributed. You realize that.
FERGUSON: That's why we closed it after six weeks. It's just me and a couple of good friends that have done this and so we closed it after...
KING: Howard was on this program. It was a very emotional experience and he broke down frequently during the interview. How is he now?
FERGUSON: He wrote to me last week. He still can't get over the loss of his brother and loss of all the families. But he's such a strong person. He has such faith. He really does believe that he's here and he's going to lead his firm on, and his family on. And, you know, he's extraordinary.
KING: The charity that was in that building, was that Chances For Children?
FERGUSON: That's right.
KING: And that charity, prior to September 11, did what?
FERGUSON: Well, we work with the social services here in the United States. Because when I came here six years ago, I had come and I really thought that I had completely lost my life. I had come from the humiliation of the British newspapers and my chance was to be here in America and could I manage to make it here?
Thanks to the American people, they gave me, my children, their mother back. And so, like it was just a way of thanking them. So I started six years ago, the Chances For Children. We worked through not just New York. We work through nationwide America.
KING: Which did what?
FERGUSON: Forgotten children, rescuing forgotten children. You hear through social services that a child is dying of cancer and the operation would cost $15,000. We would raise the money to give the child the operation. Or you hear of orphan children on the tenth floor of a Chicago building and their mother and father have just left or they're on drugs, or they are abusing the children, we go in and see how we can help the social services.
KING: And that still exists?
FERGUSON: Well, after the disaster, we were given offices by Credit Swiss First Boston, which was very kind, temporary offices. And then Michael Bloomberg has given us full time office space there in his office, which is very kind.
KING: The new mayor?
FERGUSON: And we've started up again, Larry. We've risen from the ashes and we've gone out there and we're really going to give it our all to help the forgotten children of America, not just the victims. We're talking about children suffering from AIDS or abused children or just children that really need a chance.
KING: Did you have any particular interest in Afghanistan prior to September 11?
FERGUSON: Six years ago, in 1995 I was watching the BBC footage. I was looking at this orphanage. It was called the orphanage from hell. Girls were jumping off the top of the roof to die. Because they would rather die than stay in this place and I rang up my Children In Crisis, Deborah, and said Deborah, we need to get to Afghanistan. She went.
It was just as the Taliban attacked Jalalabad, and she had to move out pretty quick. We managed to get medical supplies in. We managed to find an office, and we managed to set up an underground network for education of boys and girls.
KING: And you plan to go there, do you not?
FERGUSON: As soon as the front office gives me clearance, I will be there, yes. Because I need to know -- I need to see how our office is doing. We have a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) day care center where we educate 500 to 1,000 children every day and feed them and give -- the integration of boys and girls now will give Afghanistan its future.
KING: Children don't have a voice, do they?
FERGUSON: They've never had a voice.
KING: They don't vote?
FERGUSON: Not just children. There is nothing there; 85,000 children die per year of diarrhea. The literacy rate is -- 69 percent of the adult population is illiterate. If we're going to ensure that Afghanistan's future doesn't repeat its past, in other words, we've got to make sure education is really there, that we teach children about abc and understanding the world and not Kalashnikovs and bombs.
KING: And you passionately believe that education is going to be the answer here in this new regime?
FERGUSON: Education and compassion, because, I mean, there's just no question about it. We've got to go for world unity. We're not just talking about American unity or British unity. We're talking about understanding that children are our future. The children have a right to be educated, boys and girls together. And it's time and important to put away old values and go for new values, new values of understanding about what goes on in compassion and understanding that life.
KING: Are you encouraged about the new regime?
FERGUSON: I think I'm encouraged as long as we remember that these people mustn't be forgotten. We've gone in and sort of kicked up a bit of a storm...
KING: Then we usually leave.
FERGUSON: And then we leave. And we mustn't leave. And that's why I'm so determined to go to Afghanistan. Because I think it's so important that these people have been given hope. You can't dash hope now just by going on to the next disaster. It's too easy. We've got to continue to give these children a right to a healthy, happy life. I believe that's from education.
KING: How on earth did they explain the treatment of young girls? It's unfathomable in the west.
FERGUSON: That's the way it was done. The Taliban -- to create -- that's it. We closed our office down. We were told we were not allowed to do this. We went underground. We had 98 home-based schools. But how can you possibly tell a little girl she can't play in the streets, that her mother mustn't wear lipstick, and must wear a sack cloth.
And my friend Amy was walking down the street. She had a little heel on and she was making too much noise. It was disturbing a Taliban tribesman, so she was taken aside and beaten with electric cable. How is she going to tell her daughter about that?
KING: Are you at all worried about traveling there yourself?
FERGUSON: Not at all. Of course, I'm a responsible mum of two, so I'm not going to go if I think in any way it is going to put myself in jeopardy. But I do think it's important that -- the prime minister, Tony Blair has just been. If the front office says I can go, then of course, I'd like to go.
KING: Permission of the front office of Great Britain?
FERGUSON: Yes.
KING: You would go tomorrow if they said it was OK?
FERGUSON: But if they said it wasn't I would have to take their advice.
KING: By the way, if you'd like to help Chances For Children, the American organization that Sarah's involved with, they have an 800 number, 800-364-5310, 800 364-5310. We'll also be taking calls for the duchess of York. I am Larry King. By the way, tomorrow night Senator Joseph Lieberman will be with us, just in Afghanistan and Governor Tom Ridge, director of homeland security will be aboard. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: As we come back, this is a live shot of ground zero tonight. Cold night in New York. Thus far the death toll is 2,893. There stood the twin towers and there in one of those buildings was the office of Sarah Ferguson, Sarah Ferguson's Chances For Children. She's our guest tonight.
You've traveled a lot. You've witnessed children in trouble a lot, have you not?
FERGUSON: I have, Larry, yes.
KING: How do you emotionally deal with that?
FERGUSON: Well, I don't cry and I don't get angry. I want to find a solution.
KING: You get mad? You don't get angry?
FERGUSON: I don't get angry. I just say there's got to be a way around this. For example in Albania, I remember we went in and found an orphanage where children inside the orphanage were dying, minus 7 degrees, from hypothermia, from the weather, inside the orphanage.
So we took footage of that and I thought, right, the way to do this is go to the president and say, right, President Berisha (ph), come on, this is what's happening in your country. You better do something about it or we're going to take the footage and put it out everywhere. And he listened, and he went in and he knocked the orphanage down and moved the children to better places. And in fact, a lot of them found homes.
But that is the way I deal with it. I think you've got to look at it, work out the solution and go for it.
KING: Isn't it hard to maintain emotional strength around suffering? Isn't that hard?
FERGUSON: I think it is probably one of the hardest things to do, but it doesn't help if you lose it in the face of where people are really suffering. They need to have strength and they need to have an understanding. And most of all they need to be listened to.
KING: How has it affected your dealings with your own daughters?
FERGUSON: Honesty, Larry. Most important thing is -- my girls say to me, mummy, you got to go, we are going to show you. We think it's important. Because if you try and keep the truth from the children and say, life is rosey and life is just a bowl of cherries, then we have no right to do that to our children. We have a right simply to guide them the best way possible and then let them learn their journey their way.
KING: By the way, did you know any of the British citizens killed at the World Trade Center?
FERGUSON: No, I didn't.
KING: Many were killed.
FERGUSON: Many were killed. But also, we had a lot of people that volunteered their services to help us. And so we lost -- we were all really part of the same thing. Because Samantha and her sister -- it is just -- unfathomable to think what happened.
KING: The famous doll story, too. They found the doll in the street.
FERGUSON: Well, you know, the fact that she survived said to me that Little Red -- how is it that my doll, for Chances For Children, she's a symbol of the charity.
KING: There's the famous picture of the fireman finding her. Did you think that was an omen?
FERGUSON: I did, Larry. You know, a lot of people would say, sure, you know, but I do, I really believe that it said to me, and I get Chances For Children up and running and get on an do more work and make sure you can give children a right to a healthy life.
KING: You said after the attacks you were energized. Can you explain that? Most people, you would think, would be deflated.
FERGUSON: Well, it's the way of turning a negative into a positive, Larry.
KING: That's easy to say, hard to do.
FERGUSON: Isn't it? But when you see so much suffering and when you see so many children in really terrible situations, whether it be on the streets of Romania or the streets of Poland or wherever it might be, when this terrible tragedy, it was such a disaster, but it really did wake everybody up to the fact that America's not on its own, you know?
There are an awful lot of children, an awful lot of people, Afghanistan, India, wherever it might be. And it's time not to just think of our own place and our own country. It's time to really say, OK, maybe we can actually get together now and really see how we can help other people. And really, I know the old thing about Miss World, they say world peace. But you know, it is time now that maybe we all wake up and realize that it doesn't center around our own families.
KING: Isn't there a danger -- danger is the wrong word -- when they say return to normal, we're never going to be normal again, right?
FERGUSON: Who?
KING: The world, people.
FERGUSON: It never is, but change is a good thing. There's nothing you can do. When you say energized from the disaster, that is not a flippant way of saying it. What it was, was I was determined to come back to the United States and smile in the face of terrorism. In other words, say, no, you are not going to defeat us. Come on, we most fight on with our regular lives. We must go forward. But we must look at change as a way of helping others, not as a way of sitting back saying, poor me, I can't go on. I am frightened to fly, I am frightened to do this. If you do that, they've won.
KING: Is there a danger in getting back to normal too much where we stop thinking about what happened? To get complacent?
FERGUSON: But that's the secret of life, isn't it? Not to get complacent, is to hold life in your hand and never let the sands flow too much out of your fingers. That's what really I'm saying, is that you have to wake up and say, I'm so lucky. We are so lucky, Larry, so lucky in this country, we're so lucky that we are able to get up and have a bowl of cereal or a cup of tea, whatever it might be. We just mustn't even take that for granted.
I always say, I here, so many times now in America, you hear people say, I have got a headache, I'm late for work, the children are annoying me. What about, I'm so lucky to be alive and breathing?
KING: You were not entitled to this day, were you? Was it so decreed that you should have the day, so technically you should feel flip just to wake up, right?
FERGUSON: Absolutely. Me, myself?
KING: Anybody.
FERGUSON: The thing is, Larry, is that -- doesn't it annoy you when you go around and you look and see what's really going on in the world and you hear people saying, the small things -- and they've got to remember how lucky it is. Today is today and now is now. Don't look too far in the future and yesterday's gone. Don't dwell in the past. That's it.
KING: What, if anything, has this done to your faith?
FERGUSON: It's basically the most important thing that I have.
KING: Really?
FERGUSON: Yes. Because it's what's in the soul and that's the soul power in the soul energy. I'm sorry, it may be psycho-babble to lots of people, but it's really the truth. The truth is, is that what we are is what we are and we have to live our own truth. And if you're good and kind and you go on with life and you help other people and you really are there in honesty, in full honesty, then you know what? You can do anything you like. So how is my faith? My faith has never been stronger. In fact, the only thing I really can guarantee I have is faith.
KING: Do you have advice to people -- you've gone through a lot of it -- generally getting through tough times?
FERGUSON: Faith. No, generally getting through tough times.
KING: Can't give someone faith.
FERGUSON: No, but there are dark days. The dark days when you live with fears. And I, as you know, Larry, for so many years have lived in the darkness of thinking I have done everything wrong and been irresponsible and probably have many times. But I am very good at blaming myself for everything. Very good at beating myself up.
KING: But you're also good at bouncing back, aren't you?
FERGUSON: Well, thank you. I think it's because I really want to try and turn a negative into a positive. I want to try and say, you know what? OK, I made a mistake yesterday. But I'm gonna give today a very good shot. And all I can do is teach myself my own boundaries and let's just hope that by going forward you can make a difference.
KING: You had the double problem, though, of the world looking at you. You had what you did, everyone made little goofs and little things they do or mistakes. Yours was in the paper.
FERGUSON: Yes, which made me turn to the cookie jar.
KING: Yeah, gained a lot of weight and do all the things wrong.
FERGUSON: Absolutely. Thank goodness I did that. I went through...
KING: You're glad you did that?
FERGUSON: Absolutely.
KING: Because?
FERGUSON: Thank heavens I have been through that because I learned. I learned so much about myself. And in learning about yourself, you can be humble to understand that basically all I'm here to do is just keep on talking, really. Because there are an awful lot of children out there that don't have a chance to be on LARRY KING and talk about how difficult it is to be in the freezing conditions of Afghanistan right now or whatever it might be.
So, if I can sit here and just keep on talking about the issues that really are very important, then I'm lucky. And how did I get here? By making so many mistakes that the press got rather curious about how I made so many mistakes. The good thing is that I learned. And I have to try very hard not to live in the past, you know? Because sometimes I go back there and think, why did you do that? You should have thought of the ramifications of your actions.
KING: She's our guest, Sarah Ferguson, she is the duchess of York. We'll be going to phone calls as well. As we go to break, some of the faces, the children of Afghanistan. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KING: It's a little after 7:00 in the morning, a beautiful morning in Kabul, Afghanistan, right there. Daybreak of another day with a new country. We have a couple of dolls here in the studio with us. What are these and how do they aid your charity?
FERGUSON: Well, the logo of the charity I drew six years ago. It was a little doll on a swing because I thought it would be quite fun. You know, it shows a sign of happiness and joy. And so then I just went to FAO Schwarz and they made her. And she sells for $16. And every penny goes to the foundation.
KING: And they are sold at FAO Schwarz?
FERGUSON: They are.
KING: $16.
FERGUSON: Yes, Larry.
KING: And it goes to the foundation?
FERGUSON: And it goes to help the children of Afghanistan and the children of the United States of America.
KING: Can we buy these here tonight or I got to go to FAO Schwarz?
FERGUSON: Larry, for you, you can have one.
KING: I don't want to have one. I want to buy one.
FERGUSON: OK, $16.
KING: OK, I'll pay you.
FERGUSON: All right.
KING: Gee, I got to give it to you now? Wait until we get off.
FERGUSON: Yes, right now. Money on the hand.
KING: You got pounds or dollars?
(LAUGHTER)
Now wait a minute, I have one objection.
FERGUSON: Yes, sir.
KING: These are both girls. I have nothing against girls.
FERGUSON: Really.
KING: No boy dolls?
FERGUSON: Well, actually, because you have boys, don't you, Larry?
KING: Yes, I do.
FERGUSON: Yes, well, in fact, I'm bringing out four children's books in 2002. My goodness, this year. And it's going to be -- Little Blue is coming into that and then there's going to be dolls called Little Blue and Gino (ph) the dog.
KING: There will be boy dolls?
FERGUSON: They'll be boy dolls.
KING: Good thinking. Let's have a call as we move along. Billings, Montana, hello.
CALLER: Hi. I love those dolls. In fact, I was just going to ask if you were planning to market those as a fundraiser. So now I'm wondering if you wanted to auction those off to raise funds for your charity?
FERGUSON: Yes. I'd be delighted. I can sign them for you and send some to you if you'd like for your auction or for your event.
KING: That's a good idea. How do people contact -- at that 800 number? That's good. We got the number. It's 800-364-5310. If you're in Billings, call that number and they'll work with you on getting the dolls to you.
Let's grab another call. Syracuse, New York, to the Duchess of York, hello.
CALLER: Hi.
KING: Hi.
CALLER: My question for the Duchess is, I have children of my own and how does it -- how is it that you're able to handle this with your own children? My daughter was greatly affected by it and I'm sure your daughters were too. But, how did you go home that night and tell your daughters what had happened and comfort them?
KING: Good question. What did you say to them?
FERGUSON: It was very difficult because, in fact, my children heard on the news at school that there had been this terrible disaster in New York and so they thought that their mother was in it. And, you know, they just -- it was very difficult. So the first call I had to make was very, very speedy. It was to the girls just to say that I was OK.
But since then, the way I have been dealing with my girls is just explain what's been happening and how what's going on in Afghanistan. And I really am -- I just, you know -- in a very nice way, I explained the news. And I think honesty and truth is the best way forward because I think if you put your child in cotton balls (ph), she's going to believe that life is just so rosey. And really, it's reality, isn't it.
KING: You got to teach them about death too?
FERGUSON: I'm afraid so because, you know, granny died, auntie Dutch (ph) died. You know...
KING: Didn't go somewhere, granny didn't go somewhere and will be back in a week.
FERGUSON: No, granny died and that's OK too, you know.
KING: Dealing with things in your own life, challenges. You wrote a new book about it. The breakup of your own parents' marriage caused you a lot of grief, did it not?
FERGUSON: Yes, Larry. It was at a time when I went into denial. You know, I thought I was fine. My mom went off to Argentina. She left me when I was 12, 13 years old. And I thought it was all my fault, you know. I thought -- in fact, I just had my hair cut and I thought she didn't like my hair cut, you know.
KING: Really?
FERGUSON: Yes. And I probably had been eating too many sausage rolls and so my bottom had gotten a bit big or something. And so I thought maybe she didn't like me, you know. But of course, I never told her that because I didn't want to disturb her because I'm a people pleaser. So she left and I never told her that I was really missing her.
And I suppose what happened then was I went into -- didn't want to look at my emotions, so I just was always fine. You know, I was always smiling and always joking and always laughing, but where was Sarah? You know, when did she ever feel? And that's why I joined Weight Watchers, you know, six years ago.
KING: I'm going to get to that. Are people pleasers unhappy?
FERGUSON: They can be unless they look at it, Larry, you know.
KING: Because they go around all the time trying to be nice?
FERGUSON: Well, everybody thinks they're wonderful and always such fun and such good form. But what about -- when does anyone stop and listen to what a people pleaser really feels? Because they don't want to. It suits them. People love it. The people are very selfish, aren't they. They love it if a person walks into the room being jolly and fine just like having a good time. They don't have to do the work. So they would never dream of going to ask a people pleaser.
KING: Therefore, is it faking?
FERGUSON: Yes, of course it is. How do you know it's faking if you don't know your true self?
KING: Ah, so if you don't know it, but it still affects you because you're putting on a smile that you don't feel.
FERGUSON: Well, when in the darkest moments when you're on your own is when you really -- you don't feel happy. In my case, I never even felt the feelings of not feeling happy. I just ate and put on weight. So I used food as a substitute for my feelings. And so that's why I can talk about it so openly now. I've gained a lot of weight. And a lot of people turn to drugs or smoking or drink or shopping or overspending. I did all of them.
KING: At its height, when you looked in the mirror, did you say, I don't like the way I look?
FERGUSON: Oh, yes. I still do now. I still do now. I can look in the mirror and go, oh, bad day, you know. Start squeezing bits and saying, you know, this is not helpful. Now I'm aware of it, thanks to support, you know. Really has been an awful lot of work.
KING: What about the pressure of suddenly being a celebrity? You marry into the court. What was that like?
FERGUSON: Well, you suddenly have to understand your part of a larger organization in a firm.
KING: A firm?
FERGUSON: Yes. You never really -- it is really -- it is just a huge great will which works and you're just part of it. You're one cog on this wheel. And I'll never forget the day when I had to go first out in public. I had to walk out of the door and I had to go out and speak to members of the public. I was just like it's me. And people had to curtsy to me. And I was just me. I was just Fergie, you know. And I walked out and down the steps of Buckingham Palace and I turned to Andrew and said, Andrew, help me, what do I say? And he said, oh, fine, you'll be all right. Just get on with it. I'll never forget -- I don't know. You suddenly have to go up to people who are standing there saluting you and going, how are you? What are you going to do with your future?
KING: Were you the black sheep, in a sense, of that firm?
FERGUSON: What do you think, Larry?
KING: Yes. But I like black sheep.
FERGUSON: That's lucky. No, I think, Larry, the most important thing was I have just a good sense of humor.
KING: Do you?
FERGUSON: Isn't it funny that?
KING: We'll be right back with more of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. Her new book, "Energy Breakthrough" -- we'll talk about that. The phone number, if you want to help or get ideas for the charity and help children -- good idea with the dolls -- is 800- 364-5310. Governor Tom Ridge among the guests tomorrow night. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back. Lest you panic, I have paid for the dolls.
Loganville, Georgia, hello, for Sarah Fergusun.
CALLER: Hello. Sarah, first of all I'd like to say I'm sorry for your personal losses on September 11. I was wondering with all the wonderful charitable work you've been doing, have you found any inspiration from the late Princess Diana?
FERGUSON: Well, yes, thank you. It's nice to hear you tonight. Diana and I were very good friends from the age of 14 and so we always agreed that the way ahead was always like friendship and really communication. And she was such a great humanitarian. I guess we always talked about everything, so she's always in my thoughts.
KING: A lot of people have changed since September 11 fundamentally. Some people who were contemplating divorce, got divorced. Other people who were thinking maybe should I get married, got married. Changes occurred in their lives because they saw the immortality of it all. How this could be gone in a second.
FERGUSON: They woke up.
KING: They woke up.
FERGUSON: It is so dreadful to speak about it really like that, because of the tragedy and the families and the sadness of September 11. But, you know, turning the negative into a positive, it is time now, isn't it, to wake up to every day and to -- it's not a dress rehearsal as they always say that famous expression. But it is absolutely true. You've got to seize life and go for it.
KING: Salem, South Carolina, hello.
CALLER: Good evening, Sarah. You just look awesome tonight. You've been my inspiration. I am on Weight Watchers and through your books and just seeing you tonight is just so much of an inspiration to me. I know maintenance is tough because I'm on it. I want to know how you do it and with everybody watching you, how just can you maintain? It's tough. I know.
KING: You get fat, you blow the career.
FERGUSON: Blow the contract. Thank you for the compliments. The most important thing is get on that bicycle; 45 minutes every day and no excuses. Yes, I can tell you I am a human being. When I'm on these kind of trips, I don't do it every day. That's, I think, the secret, is to keep the exercise up, keep the water up three liters of water a day, and just remember, again, you know what, I want to do this for me because it's important. And put yourself and be good to yourself.
KING: How about when you see a food you love and can't have, or shouldn't have?
FERGUSON: I'd probably eat it, Larry.
KING: You do? So you break the Weight Watchers code?
FERGUSON: Absolutely. Well no, because with Weight Watchers you can eat any points you like, any food you like because it's on a points range. So you can have...
KING: You can have pizza?
FERGUSON: Corn dogs and wheat grass and anything you'd like. You can have pizza and hamburgers but you count your points.
KING: And you do this every day?
FERGUSON: No.
KING: It's hard to do when traveling.
FERGUSON: I think it's very important that I have been with Weight Watchers for six years. The reason why I wrote this book, "Energy Breakthrough" is because I have lost the weight, I feel good, I have got the energy and I want people out there here in the United States and all over the world to realize all they have to do is take control and take stock of themselves and they can make a difference.
The U.S. General Satcher called for this nation to realize that it is obese. He called, he said, come on, this nation, you've got to now lose weight. That is a very serious -- it's now an epidemic in this country. It's really something that's got to be taken seriously.
KING: It is a great energy revitalizer, though, to lose weight. Speaking personally. I feel 100 percent better, less weight than more weight.
FERGUSON: You've government self-confidence. Your clothes feel better.
KING: You're healthier.
FERGUSON: Absolutely and you realize that you really are putting a great strain on your heart.
KING: Have you ever taken it to the other extent? Were you ever bulemic?
FERGUSON: No.
KING: Were you ever so desirous of being slim that you thought yourself fat if you were skinny?
FERGUSON: No, I never have. Anorexia, bulemia, no. With Diana and her pain she went through with that, it's such a terrible disease.
KING: Did you talk to her about that? FERGUSON: Yes, I did.
KING: How did she deal with it? Technically it was the same thing you had, right? You just ate. She didn't eat.
FERGUSON: No. I just turned to food, but I didn't ever -- I was never bulemic or anorexic.
KING: No, but she was the reverse of what you were doing, right?
FERGUSON: Yes, exactly. Well, she became -- she had self-hatred to such a degree that she didn't want to -- she couldn't even look at trying to come to terms with herself.
KING: Ramsey, New Jersey, hello.
CALLER: Hi. Sarah, we love you over here. You're such an inspiration. Would you ever consider moving here and becoming a citizen?
FERGUSON: What a nice thing to say. Thank you very much. You know what, I have often thought about it because I come here so much. I really can't thank the American people enough because you've really given me my life back. But I think my girls are going to be brought up in Great Britain and I think it's a joy to come here, but I don't think I'll ever live here because I think it's right they should be brought up British.
KING: All right, now, bad habits. One would think that after September 11 one would possibly seek comfort in overeating, alcohol, all kinds of things that make you feel good.
FERGUSON: Spending.
KING: Spending. Anything. Instant gratification.
FERGUSON: Absolutely. Oh,well, we only live once and all those kinds of excuses.
KING: It's true, isn't it?
FERGUSON: Absolutely. But on the other hand you've got to maintain a sense of balance, isn't it? It's about harmony within, isn't it? So you can't -- if you go out and do all those thins, that's fine if you want to for that split second. You just have to look at the ramifications of your actions. I did all those things, Larry, and it didn't bring me happiness and didn't bring any gratification.
What truly brings, I believe, what's right or how you feel, how I feel is by understanding why we do certain things.
KING: How do you teach others in a book to change?
FERGUSON: You don't. All you do is talk about what you've been through yourself. I wouldn't dream of daring to preach or to assume anyone would be listening to me. All I know is that I have been through a very, very strong journey. I have bounced against many boundaries. And if it helps people, then great. I would never dream to be a role model. I'm just discussing my story.
KING: And you think that in writing a book, that that comes through to people in a way that they use it?
FERGUSON: I think if you read the book, like "The Energy Breakthrough," you find the only person I put down is myself. And so hopefully people can read it and go, I have been there, I have done that. And if it helps them, I'm delighted.
KING: Mountain Home, Arkansas for Sarah Ferguson. Hello.
CALLER: Good evening. I was wondering does she support rebuilding the World Trade Center or having a memorial there?
KING: What are your thoughts about what to do there?
FERGUSON: That's an interesting question. I would actually -- I'm not very good at answering questions like that because I'm sure the mayor will have other thoughts.
KING: But you can have your own.
FERGUSON: My particular point of view, I'd like to see a garden and I'd like to see a memorial.
KING: A garden. Not a commercial building?
FERGUSON: No. A garden with a waterfall and pretty flowers and a place where people can go and sit and reflect. It's a time for reflection now.
KING: What about the fear factor, Sarah? People are afraid of flying, overly anxious on security. We're going to have Gavin Debecka here tomorrow night. He is an American expert with dealing with fears and he says fears are real.
FERGUSON: Does he?
KING: It's logical to be afraid of something.
FERGUSON: Well, it's a question of -- fears in general. Because the other day when that person was -- went through the controls with the shoes, I mean, that is kind of really scary. Exactly. And so it's got to be taken seriously. I was coming through security today. I didn't skip around the side. I went straight through security. My bag had to be checked. They were very thorough. I was very impressed. I think it's very, very important.
KING: Good to know. The duchess of Windsor gets no break at an airport
FERGUSON: York.
KING: The duchess of York. Windsor -- Windsor was another one that broke up the king.
FERGUSON: Moving on.
KING: You had to go through everything?
FERGUSON: Absolutely and I think it was dead right. The more -- they kept saying, sorry. I said, no, I think this is really important. I want you to check. It's so important.
KING: We'll be right back with Sarah Ferguson. Her new book is "Energy Breakthrough." This is LARRY KING LIVE. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with the duchess and we go to Austin, Texas. Hello.
CALLER: Yes, hello. Duchess, just wanted to tell you that you have done such a marvelous job with encouraging us and being such an inspiration. And you have such a way with words. You have the natural instincts of someone who can really interview. Have you thought about having your own TV show or anything, where the shoe would be on the other foot and you would interview someone?
KING: Ah ha, She hosted this show. A couple times. Hosted Tiger Woods on the show.
FERGUSON: Absolutely. I hope to do a few more, Larry, if you want a night off, if that's all right.
KING: Of course. Would you like your own show?
FERGUSON: Yes, please. Thank you for those words. I'd love to have my own show. In fact, I go to Larry for advice. He's my mentor.
KING: But I mean, you -- your goal -- if you had your own show, you'd have to move to the United States?
FERGUSON: Do you think so? Couldn't I tape some and put them in the bag -- in the can?
KING: Put them in the bag! That's funny. We must do a little royal stuff. The British press is reporting that Prince Charles -- I'm reading this because I don't know anything about royals -- that Prince Charles is livid over Prince Edward's plans to delve into his love life as part of a royals documentary series that Edward's production company is doing with America's E Entertainment Channel. What do you make of that?
FERGUSON: Well, are we going on what the press have said? So is it true?
KING: Do you think it is true that Charles is livid and -- I'd be livid if Edward was going to do something that involved my own love life and putting it public.
FERGUSON: I think...
KING: Why am I talking like this?
FERGUSON: But you are a king.
KING: I forgot. I momentarily forgot.
FERGUSON: Right, what is the right thing? I think that family should stick together and they should take opinion from each other.
KING: Edward should not do this?
FERGUSON: I didn't say that. I just think in general family should stick together.
KING: What kind of answer is that then?
FERGUSON: That's a suitably diplomatic answer. I don't want to hit the front pages.
KING: But you don't care any more?
FERGUSON: I care! I care about people's feelings.
KING: That's right. I forgot. You're still into that.
FERGUSON: Yes, compassion, and all that, Larry.
KING: All right, the British tabloids are claiming Prince William cursed at a photographer and forced him into a ditch as he returned from riding with the Bullford hunt. The Bullford Hunt? What is that?
FERGUSON: Well, yes it's called the Bowford Hunt.
KING: What do they hunt for?
FERGUSON: Foxes.
KING: The shoot foxes?
FERGUSON: No, they hunt Foxes with hounds. You chase a little red headed fox.
KING: What do you do when you catch the fox?
FERGUSON: Their hounds kill it.
KING: What good sport. Such fun.
FERGUSON: Larry, if you are a king, you do -- it's called the sport of kings, isn't it? Or is that horse racing?
KING: That's horse racing and they don't shoot the horse.
FERGUSON: But, Larry, the thing is, I very much doubt William would have done that because he's a thoroughly good person.
KING: They're nice boys, aren't they?
FERGUSON: Yes, yes, he's a really, really special boy.
KING: Do you think Charles and Camilla are going to get married?
FERGUSON: I think if they do, then it's their decision and I wish them well. And if they don't, that's their decision and I wish them well, too.
KING: Do you know her?
FERGUSON: Yes. I have known her for a long time.
KING: Do you like her?
FERGUSON: She's a good lady.
KING: She is?
FERGUSON: Yes.
KING: Mr. Blackwell put her on the list of the worst dressed women in the world.
FERGUSON: That knocked me off then.
KING: Were you ever on that list?
FERGUSON: Yes.
KING: You're kidding? Why, you look great!
FERGUSON: Thank you.
KING: Blackwell put you on the list?
FERGUSON: Absolutely. I was top of the list. Fergie, frumpy Fergie. You know, fat frumpy Fergie.
KING: All right, when you saw something like that, how did you react?
FERGUSON: Ate more, probably.
KING: Look at this. Let's go have a Twinkie?
FERGUSON: Exactly. What's a Twinkie?
KING: You don't know what a Twinkie is?
FERGUSON: No.
FERGUSON: A Twinkie I guess is what Americans would do. What do you eat in Britain, what would be the worst snack you could eat in Britain to put on weight?
FERGUSON: I can't think.
KING: A Twinkie is like a yellow thing with marshmallow in the middle. People love them.
FERGUSON: Oh, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) !
KING: It is very popular.
FERGUSON: Is it?
KING: People love Twinkies.
FERGUSON: OK, so I need a Twinkie. When I leave here, I have got to go and get a Twinkie.
KING: I would not, if I were you.
FERGUSON: How many points, do you think? A lot of points.
KING: A lot of points and I would also think they are habit forming.
FERGUSON: And Weight Watchers might say...
KING: What is a dish you miss the most?
FERGUSON: Well, I don't because...
KING: Well, what points would you like to accumulate to let them go?
FERGUSON: Mayonnaise. I love mayonnaise. Love it. Delicious. Egg mayonnaise, baked potato.
KING: You put mayonnaise on baked potato?
FERGUSON: Yes! Butter, you know.
KING: Oh and sour cream.
FERGUSON: Yeah, just mash it all up together. Peas -- it's nursery food. I'm sort of like -- remember like mum used to do, boiled eggs and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) .
KING: Britain is not famous for its food, though.
FERGUSON: You can have baked beans on toast. You can have steak and kidney pie. You can have fish and chips. What do you mean not famous! Fish and chips. Nothing better. Friday night. Fish and chip night.
KING: Do you always like, whenever you land back home, being back home, do you always like coming to the states? FERGUSON: I have to tell you that for me, it takes me about a day when I arrive in America to feel strong again. When I go back to Britain, I do -- it sort of -- I keep myself to myself. Hide a way a bit. I don't want to put my head above the parapet too high. I have learned. I have learned. I can't.
KING: Now on the emotional level. What about your own? Are you in love with anyone?
FERGUSON: Are you, Larry?
KING: I'm married. Yes, of course.
FERGUSON: But you can be in love with your darling Shawn.
KING: I am in love.
FERGUSON: OK.
KING: I'm in love with my little boys. I'm in love with life, I'm in love with -- yes.
FERGUSON: I'm in love with faith.
KING: No, is there a man in your life? Come on. Be honest.
FERGUSON: Well, I'll just say that I am very happy.
KING: Ah ha! That lends one to think, your highness...
FERGUSON: It could be. There's lots of men in my life.
KING: Are you still friendly with your ex-husband?
FERGUSON: Yes. We are very good parents together. And the girls are thriving because of it.
KING: Wouldn't it be difficult for a man in your life to deal with the attention you get?
FERGUSON: That's impossible, probably.
KING: All right, you meet a man. He's going to have to be someone...
FERGUSON: He's going to have to be very strong.
KING: And you've met him, haven't you?
FERGUSON: Have I?
KING: Yes you have. I know you have. I sense it.
FERGUSON: Why do you sense it, Larry?
KING: Because of the way you answered, you're happy. Happy is total fulfillment.
FERGUSON: No, but I think happiness comes from understanding and loving yourself.
KING: Is it the duke of Blackledge?
FERGUSON: Who is he?
KING: I don't even know what I'm talking about. I love that name, the duke of Blackledge. It could be him, couldn't it? Because he's very strong.
FERGUSON: He's got to be strong. Can you imagine taking me on, red head, two girls. World's press.
KING: Do you miss love?
FERGUSON: Well, not if I'm so happy.
KING: So we have found it out through my expert -- see the way I did that.
FERGUSON: No because I gave it to you.
KING: You gave it to me? Willingly.
FERGUSON: Yes.
KING: Now why can't you tell us who it is?
FERGUSON: No way. But there may not be anybody, Larry.
KING: Come on.
FERGUSON: I'm just playing with you.
KING: There is someone. We both know there is someone.
FERGUSON: It's you, Larry. It's you.
KING: I'm not available. Hate to break your heart. But me aside, there is someone, isn't there?
FERGUSON: What?
KING: Someone in your life?
FERGUSON: Absolutely there is.
KING: OK, that's good to know. Let the tabloids find out. And if he's strong, why not name him.
FERGUSON: Absolutely not.
KING: Is he with you here tonight?
FERGUSON: Maybe, maybe not.
KING: The big guy who gave you the mint? I'll tell you it must be great to be royalty. Mint, please. They run over with a mint.
FERGUSON: Well I needed a mint, you know.
KING: I say mint and they look at me like I am crazy.
FERGUSON: It's quite hot here.
FERGUSON: I don't have that kind of service.
OK, on a more serious note the number for Chances For Children is 800-364-3130. Anybody can help. You can take donations. You can get involved in charity drives, buy the dolls, give the dolls away at charities, auction them off.
FERGUSON: Auction them off and I'll sign them and I'll be there. I'll try and turn up at some events. I think that is very important. I think the most important thing is by supporting Chances For Children 100 percent of the proceeds goes to the child. That is some statistic to be able to say.
KING: How old are your daughters now?
FERGUSON: 11 and 13.
KING: What do you want them to do?
FERGUSON: I want them to be able to be strong enough to deal with understanding life.
KING: With what they're going to have to deal with.
FERGUSON: And they can only do that by loving themselves and having confidence. They've got to have confidence now. And they have got to always remember that the press is not there to be frowned upon. It is there to be used to get out what they need to get out of it.
KING: Do they like fame?
FERGUSON: I think the "Princess Dairies" the new movie with Julie Andrews. I think, when they were watching that, they said, you know, some days it's good and some days it's not.
KING: One more call quickly. Hoffman Estates, Illinois, hello.
CALLER: Hello, I would just like to ask Fergie if during her travels if she has seen a greater respect for Tony Blair. I was just so pleased the way that he handled everything and have so much respect for him now.
KING: Mr. Blair.
FERGUSON: I think he's done an extraordinary job. He's so strong. He speaks his mind. I was delighted he went to Afghanistan yesterday. I think that's something else. And I think he's really -- President Bush and Tony Blair have really worked together to -- for unity between the two countries. I think that's a great example and that's what leadership should be.
KING: Sarah, you a heck of a lady and I'm proud to call you a friend.
FERGUSON: Thank you, Larry.
KING: Sarah Ferguson the duchess of York. Her two foundations are Children in Crisis in London, Chances For Children in New York. That number again, 800-364-5310. Her new book is "Energy Breakthrough."
We have -- we close a lot of our programs musically to uplift people. We've got a great group here tonight. We know you're going to enjoy them. Shedaisy will be aboard and they will join us immediately following the break and then we'll be back with some closing thoughts. Shedaisy is next. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Shedaisy's our special guest to close things out tonight, the platinum selling country music group. Their latest album is "All Mixed Up." And Kristyn, you performed, did you not, at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, for President Bush?
KRISTYN OSBORN, SHEDAISY MEMBER: We did. That a few weeks ago. That was exhilarating. It was pretty exciting for us.
KING: And you're nominated for an American Music Award tomorrow night.
OSBORN: We are. That's always nerve-racking. But yeah, we're here and we are excited about this one.
KING: How long have you been a group?
OSBORN: Since birth. We're sisters so we've been performing professionally about 15 years.
KING: You were like the Osmonds, in a sense?
OSBORN: Yes.
KING: Singing sisters.
OSBORN: Yep, that's right.
KING: And them hit it with records and the rest is history. You're going to do the Battle Hymn of the Republic, a capella, right?
You recorded this after September 11. All right. We're all excited. Thanks very much for being here. Shedaisy! Go!
(MUSIC, SHEDAISY SINGS THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Hope you enjoyed Sarah Ferguson tonight. Always delightful to have her with us. Tomorrow night on LARRY KING LIVE, Senator Joe Lieberman will be with us. Much to talk about Afghanistan and Governor Tom Ridge, the director of homeland security, former governor of Pennsylvania will be aboard as well.
Aboard right now in New York is my man Aaron Brown. He's the host of NEWSNIGHT from our studios in Gotham. It is always good to see him. He's gonna be in Los Angeles a couple nights next week. Look forward to getting together. Here is NEWSNIGHT. Here is New York, and here is Aaron Brown.
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