British Couple Sells Somali Pirate Kidnapping Story for Estimated $793,000

(Nov. 23) -- That's a hefty pirate's booty.

Paul and Rachel Chandler, a British couple who were recently freed by Somali pirates after being held hostage for 388 days, have sold their tales of the high seas for an estimated $793,000 (500,000 British pounds), according to the U.K. Press Association.

Although the total loot on their story was not divulged, public relations expert Max Clifford estimated its worth.

"If I was representing them, and the deal was with ITV and the Mail, that is what I would expect," Clifford told The Independent.

It's estimated that two payments totaling roughly $1 million were paid to the Chandlers' captors for their freedom. The couple spent over a year in captivity after they were abducted during a round-the-world sailing trip on their 38-foot yacht. So why shouldn't they cash in?

"We are not a large and wealthy corporation and have had to take the decision to go with one broadcaster and one national daily newspaper in order to repay certain immediate debts resulting from this unfortunate and troubling episode in our lives," the Chandlers said in a statement.

Read more at The Independent.

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