SHORT TAKES : Fergie’s Sister Wins Lawsuit

SYDNEY, Australia — The Duchess of York’s sister, Jane Makim, was awarded $234,000 in damages today by a jury that ruled three newspapers defamed her in 1988.

The jurors found that The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and The Australian implied Makim had an affair with Argentine polo player Horatio Lanusse and wrongfully attempted or threatened to remove her two children from Australia.

Makim, the 33-year-old sister of the former Sarah Ferguson, now Britain’s Duchess of York, said, “My reputation has been totally vindicated.” In addition to the award valued at $234,000 in U.S. currency, Nationwide News, publisher of the three Sydney-based newspapers, must pay interest and Makim’s legal fees.

Makim was separated from her rancher husband, Alex, 11 months ago. She wept as she told the jury she was “embarrassed and humiliated” by the articles. The publisher’s attorney, Ian Callinan, argued she suffered no damage from the stories.