Family of Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes Says They Cannot Locate Him
According to BBC Newsnight, family members of 82-year-old British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes are uncertain about his current location and unable to visit him. His former sister-in-law, Arabella Pepper, last encountered him in July 2025 at a care facility, where he shared his affection for his family. Allegations indicate that Sir Ranulph has been moved to care homes under different identities, stemming from a family dispute involving his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes. In an effort to find him, his stepson, Alex Millington-Cotes, is attempting to revoke his mother’s power of attorney and has initiated a crowdfunding campaign for legal expenses. Cheshire Police have confirmed that he is in a suitable care environment. Sir Ranulph has not made a public appearance since his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020.
Key facts
- Sir Ranulph Fiennes, 82, has not been seen in public for nearly two years
- Relatives told BBC Newsnight they do not know where he is and cannot visit him
- Arabella Pepper last saw him in July 2025 after admitting herself to a care home
- Allegations say he was admitted to care homes under assumed names after a family rift involving wife Louise Millington-Cotes
- Stepson Alex Millington-Cotes launched a crowdfunding campaign for legal fees to locate and safeguard him
- Cheshire Police said there are no immediate safeguarding concerns and he is in an appropriate setting
- Sir Ranulph was the first person to visit both poles by surface means, in the early 1980s
- He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2020 and has led almost 20 major expeditions since 1967
Entities
Artists
- Sir Ranulph Fiennes
- Louise Millington-Cotes
- Alex Millington-Cotes
- Arabella Pepper
- Ginny Fiennes
- John Simpson
Institutions
- BBC
- BBC Newsnight
- Cheshire Police
- The Guinness Book of Records
- British Army
- SAS
- Explorers Club
- Telegraph
Locations
- United Kingdom
- South Africa