Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ Family Divided Over Access to 82-Year-Old in Care
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New accounts from Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s relatives say they remain unable to contact or visit the 82-year-old explorer, renewing concerns about his access to family and friends. His former sister-in-law, Arabella Pepper, told the BBC she had not seen him for more than a year, while his stepson, Alex Millington-Cotes, said he wanted his mother’s power of attorney transferred to people he believes have Fiennes’s best interests in mind.
Relatives allege Fiennes has been admitted to care homes under assumed names amid a family rift involving his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, who did not immediately respond to the BBC’s request for comment. Cheshire Police said they were aware of concerns and were satisfied he was receiving suitable care, with no immediate safeguarding concerns. Fiennes, who has Parkinson’s disease and has not appeared publicly for nearly two years, led the first north-to-south circumnavigation of the globe and was the first person to reach both poles by surface travel.
- Relatives say they cannot reliably reach or visit Fiennes.
- Police report no immediate safeguarding concerns.
- Family members dispute who should manage his access and care.
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Sir Ranulph Fiennes is a celebrated British explorer known for extraordinary polar expeditions, including being the first person to reach both the North and South Poles by surface travel. Now 82 years old, he is living in care homes and has not appeared publicly for nearly two years, partly due to living with Parkinson's disease.
His family has raised concerns about his access to relatives and friends, saying they have been unable to visit or contact him for extended periods. His former sister-in-law reports not seeing him for over a year, whilst his stepson says he wants to change who holds power of attorney decisions on Fiennes's behalf.
The family dispute is centred on Fiennes's second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, with relatives alleging he has been moved between care homes under assumed names. Cheshire Police have confirmed they are monitoring the situation and are satisfied he is receiving appropriate care, though the family's concerns about his contact with loved ones persist.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Family members have a legitimate interest in maintaining contact with an elderly relative, particularly when they report being unable to see him for over a year, which raises genuine concerns about isolation and whether he is receiving appropriate emotional and social support. The stepson's desire to transfer power of attorney suggests reasonable worry that the current arrangement may not adequately represent Fiennes's own wishes or best interests, especially given the family rift and the use of assumed names for care home placements, which could indicate attempts to control access rather than protect privacy.
The case against
Louise Millington-Cotes, as Fiennes's spouse, likely holds the strongest legal and moral authority to make decisions for his care and to determine what contact best serves his wellbeing and preferences, particularly given his cognitive decline. Cheshire Police have reviewed the situation and found no safeguarding concerns, suggesting the current arrangement is appropriate; moreover, the relatives' perspective is incomplete, and the use of assumed names may reflect entirely legitimate privacy needs for a famous individual whose condition might attract unwanted attention rather than evidence of improper control.
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