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Family members of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the renowned British explorer, have expressed deep distress over his apparent separation from them, describing the situation as “very painful.” His former sister-in-law revealed to BBC Newsnight that they have lost track of his whereabouts, and attempts to visit him have been unsuccessful. Reports suggest that Sir Ranulph, aged 82, may have been placed in several care homes under false identities following a family dispute involving his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes. Attempts to obtain a response from Louise regarding these claims have so far been unsuccessful.
Cheshire Police have acknowledged the concerns raised about Sir Ranulph’s situation but confirmed that he is currently residing in a suitable environment with appropriate care in place. They have also stated there are “no immediate safeguarding concerns” at this time. Sir Ranulph has not been seen publicly for nearly two years, a period shortly after he disclosed to the public his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.
Widely celebrated for his extraordinary achievements as an explorer, Sir Ranulph gained the distinction from The Guinness Book of Records as “the world’s greatest living explorer.” His remarkable expeditions include being the first person to reach both the North and South Poles by surface travel during the early 1980s. His early life was split between the UK and South Africa before he joined the British Army and served in the SAS. His stepson, Alex Millington-Cotes, voiced his concerns on BBC Newsnight, asking for the power of attorney to be taken from his mother and reassigned to those he believes truly have Sir Ranulph’s best interests at heart. “He’s not an isolated type of person, and so to see him isolated now is very painful,” Alex said.
The mystery surrounding Sir Ranulph’s location intensified following a recent report published in The Telegraph, where close associates voiced their growing worries. In response, a crowdfunding campaign was set up last week to raise legal funds aimed at “locating and safeguarding” the explorer. In the campaign’s description, his stepson described this effort as born out of “concern and desperation” after multiple attempts to find Sir Ranulph had failed. Arabella Pepper, the younger sister of Sir Ranulph’s late first wife, told BBC Newsnight she had been unable to see him for over a year. After admitting herself to a care home where she had learned Sir Ranulph was living, she finally was able to visit him in July 2025. According to her, the relief on his face upon seeing family was clear, and he asked her to “send a message to everybody… tell them I love them and tell them I’m longing to see them.”
Reflecting the widespread concern, BBC World Affairs editor John Simpson posted on X expressing his horror at Sir Ranulph’s current circumstances. He described him as “the world’s bravest man, and he’s vulnerable,” underscoring the urgent need to understand what is happening to the explorer. Since 1967, Sir Ranulph has led nearly 20 major expeditions according to the Explorers Club, including the notable Transglobe Expedition which involved the first circumnavigation of the globe from north to south. Beyond his expeditions, he has built a prolific career as a travel writer and an author of both fiction and non-fiction works
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