Relatives of the British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes have expressed deep distress over his apparent isolation, saying they are unable to locate or visit him after he was allegedly placed in multiple care facilities under assumed identities.
Speaking to a national broadcaster's investigative programme, his former sister-in-law stated she had no knowledge of his whereabouts and that family members had been prevented from seeing him. The situation has intensified concerns about his welfare following a family dispute centred on his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, who holds power of attorney over his affairs.
The 82-year-old explorer has not appeared publicly for nearly two years, a period that began shortly after he disclosed a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2020. His stepson, Alexander Millington-Cotes, 31, launched a crowdfunding campaign in late September seeking £55,000 to fund specialist legal advice, court fees and investigative efforts to determine his exact location.
What do authorities say about his safety?
Cheshire Police have confirmed they are aware of concerns regarding Sir Ranulph's whereabouts and have stated they are satisfied he is residing in an appropriate setting with suitable care. On 29 September, the force and partner agencies said they had identified no immediate safeguarding concerns. Louise Millington-Cotes has not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
How did this situation develop?
Questions about Sir Ranulph's location gained prominence following a report published in mid-September by a national newspaper in which members of his inner circle raised alarm about his whereabouts. According to that investigation, Sir Ranulph had been resident at KYN Hurlingham in Fulham but departed more than two months before the story appeared; the care home's owner stated that his wife provided no indication of where he was being transferred.
The Telegraph also reported that Louise Millington-Cotes was granted lasting power of attorney in November 2024, and alleged that a care home had warned her that a deprivation-of-liberty safeguards order was required but that one was not put in place. Family and friends have now called on the Office of the Public to investigate her handling of his care and her role as his attorney, though the OPG said it could not comment on individual cases.
What are family members saying?
Arabella Pepper, the younger sister of Sir Ranulph's late first wife Ginny, told the broadcaster that she had not been able to visit her former brother-in-law for over a year.
All his friends and family want to see him and take him Toblerones and cheer him up, but we don't know where is, and he's not available, he's not accessible - that's what worries us.
Pepper recounted that she managed to see him in July 2025 only after admitting herself to a care home where she had been informed he was staying. She described his reaction to learning that family and friends were searching for him and concerned about his welfare.
The first thing I said to him, apart from the usual greetings, was that everybody was worried about him, was looking for him, was longing to see him. The relief on his face was very obvious, and he said, send a message to everybody, send them my love, tell them I love them and tell them I'm longing to see them.
His stepson expressed his determination to challenge the current arrangements.
He's not an isolated type of person, and so to see him isolated now is very painful.Alexander Millington-Cotes told the broadcaster he wanted the power of attorney
removed from my own motherand transferred to individuals who
have fully his best interests in mind.
Who is Sir Ranulph Fiennes?
Sir Ranulph stands as one of the world's most accomplished explorers. He was the first person to reach both the North and South Poles by surface means during the early 1980s, an achievement that formed part of the Transglobe Expedition, in which he led the first team to circumnavigate the globe from north to south. The Guinness Book of Records has described him as
the world's greatest living explorer.
Beginning his career in 1967, Sir Ranulph has led nearly 20 major expeditions according to the Explorers Club. Born in the UK but spending his childhood between Britain and South Africa, he joined the British Army after completing his education and went on to serve in the SAS. Beyond his exploration work, he has established himself as a prolific author, producing travel writing, fiction, non-fiction and biographical works.
What happens next?
The family's intended course of action centres on seeking legal counsel to challenge Louise Millington-Cotes's lasting power of attorney. The crowdfunding campaign is designed to finance this legal work. No court hearing date has been announced, and the case remains in its early stages as the family pursues answers about Sir Ranulph's current location and living arrangements.
