The family of renowned British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has spoken out about their inability to visit the 82-year-old adventurer, describing the situation as deeply distressing. Relatives and close acquaintances have raised concerns that he has been moved between multiple care facilities using false names amid a domestic dispute involving his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes.
Sir Ranulph, widely celebrated for historic polar expeditions and recognized by Guinness World Records as a preeminent modern explorer, has remained entirely out of public view for nearly two years. His disappearance from the public eye follows a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which he publicly disclosed several years ago. Questions surrounding his location intensified recently after close associates expressed alarm regarding his current living arrangements.
Speaking to investigative media, relatives explained that they have exhausted numerous paths to find him, prompting profound worry and frustration. Arabella Pepper, the sister of Sir Ranulph’s first wife, recounted that she was unable to see him for more than a year before resorting to checking herself into a facility where he was rumored to be staying in mid-2025. She described seeing a clear expression of relief on his face during that encounter and noted that he asked her to pass along his affection to his broader circle of friends and family.
Alex Millington-Cotes, the explorer's stepson, has also voiced significant apprehension about his welfare and isolation. He stated an intention to pursue legal steps to transfer the power of attorney away from his mother and into hands dedicated strictly to the veteran adventurer's well-being. A formal fundraising effort was recently initiated to cover legal expenses aimed at confirming the explorer's safety and securing access for loved ones.
Local law enforcement authorities in Cheshire confirmed they have reviewed the circumstances surrounding the 82-year-old explorer. Officials stated they are aware of the ongoing concerns raised by relatives but are currently satisfied that he resides in a proper environment receiving necessary medical attention. Police representatives added that no immediate protection or safety issues have been identified.
Throughout an extraordinary career spanning decades, Sir Ranulph led close to twenty major global expeditions, including the pioneering Transglobe journey that achieved the first surface circumnavigation of the planet through both polar regions. In addition to his exploration achievements, he built a successful literary career publishing travelogues, biographies, and fiction. Representatives for Louise Millington-Cotes have not yet issued a public response to the allegations made by family members.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
