Amanda and Clive Owen, along with their nine children, recently returned to our screens on a repeat episode of their anniversary special, Our Yorkshire Farm: 5 Years with the Owen Family. While viewers got a heartfelt look into life on Ravenseat Farm, few know that the estate—home to over 1,000 sheep and a variety of livestock—is actually owned by billionaire Robert Miller, one of Yorkshire’s wealthiest and most intriguing figures.
Miller, ranked as Yorkshire’s third richest individual according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2023, owns a sprawling 2,000-acre working farm at the head of the River Swale in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. The 91-year-old American-British businessman is best known for founding Duty Free Shops (DFS), revolutionizing travel retail.
Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, near Boston, Robert Miller’s ancestry includes English and European royalty, tracing back to Henry I of England, Louis IV of France, and William I of Scotland. He graduated from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in 1955 before launching multiple ventures, culminating in his groundbreaking creation of DFS.
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Beginning operations in Hong Kong, where its headquarters remain, DFS expanded globally, gaining exclusive rights to duty-free sales in destinations like Hawaii and Hong Kong in the early 1960s. This allowed the company to cater strategically to Japanese tourists and establish itself as the world’s largest travel retailer. In 1996, luxury conglomerate LVMH purchased a significant stake for $1.63 billion, but Miller retained a controlling 38%, maintaining his strong influence.
Beyond business, Miller’s family bridges the worlds of wealth and royalty. His three daughters—Princess Alexandra von Furstenberg, Pia Getty, and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece—were renowned socialites in the 1990s. Marie-Chantal married Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, while Alexandra tied the knot with Prince Alexander von Furstenberg, son of famed designer Diane von Furstenberg. Pia married Christopher Getty, heir to the Getty family fortune.
Miller’s legacy also stretches across Yorkshire, where he owns the vast 36,000-acre Gunnerside estate, located just ten miles from Ravenseat Farm. His remarkable story intertwines Yorkshire’s rural charm, global business success, and noble heritage, revealing the true man behind the land showcased in Our Yorkshire Farm.