Meghan Markle biography, daughter, husband, family, ethnicity, net worth, wedding 2025

Biography of Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle is an American actress known for her role in the series "Suits." She won Prince Harry's heart, leading him to give up royal privileges, fall out with his family, and move to Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

Early Years

Meghan was born on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, into a family of mixed heritage. Her father, Tom Markle, is an American television lighting director of Dutch and Irish descent, while her mother, Doria Ragland, is an African American social worker with a Master's degree in social work, who has also spent her life as a yoga instructor and social worker. Meghan also has a half-brother named Thomas from her father's first marriage.

Megan Markle was born into a family of mixed heritage

As a child, Meghan learned the ins and outs of the filming process—her dad often took her to the sets of various TV shows and series, such as the sitcom "Married with Children." The charming girl easily made acquaintances with popular actors and celebrities, fostering a desire to one day take their place. Eventually, Meghan's parents divorced, her father moved to Mexico, and she stayed with her mother.

Megan Markle with her father during her childhood

Despite her fascination with film and television, Meghan Markle also devoted much time to her studies. She read books every day, constantly learning something new, and by the age of eleven, she was inspired by feminist ideas. At that age, she decided to write a letter to Hillary Clinton, who had just become the First Lady of the United States.

In her letter, the young girl complained about a soap commercial that aired during breaks in a TV drama. The ad perpetuated stereotypical views of women as servants and cooks, expected to spend all their time washing dishes. After Hillary received the letter, media attention erupted, leading to the commercial being pulled from the air.

Education

As the daughter of wealthy parents, Meghan Markle attended elite private schools from the age of five with children of Hollywood stars. After finishing school, she was torn between a career in television and a role in politics.

Upon enrolling at the Californian branch of Northwestern University, Meghan decided not to limit her opportunities and earned two bachelor's degrees in both 'Theatre' and 'International Studies'.

Career

After finishing college in 2003, Meghan briefly interned at the American Embassy in Buenos Aires, working in public relations. Following that, she decided to pursue an acting career.

Meghan Markle decided to try herself as an actress

Success didn't come right away—while waiting between sporadic guest spots on shows like "CSI: NY," "General Hospital," and "90210"—she took on side gigs modeling for TV shows, working as a restaurant hostess, and even doing calligraphy. In 2010, Meghan appeared in a bold beer commercial.

Meghan Markle in a beer commercial

Everything changed in 2011 when she landed a starring role in the comedy-drama series "Suits." Her character Rachel Zane was an employee at the legal firm Pearson Hardman.

The show, featuring the dynamic duo of a brilliant lawyer and a gifted ex-con, became hugely popular and launched the actress to international stardom.

Suits - Rachel Zane's Climb to the Top at Specter Litt

While starring in later seasons of the show, Meghan also hit the big screen in the romantic drama "When Sparks Fly," the comedy "The Candidate," and the British crime film "Anti-Social."

Meghan Markle's Personal Life

Shortly after college, Meghan began dating producer Trevor Engelson. They tied the knot in 2011, but the marriage didn't last—they divorced in 2013.

Meghan Markle's marriage to Trevor Engelson was brief

In early 2016, rumors began swirling about Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry of Wales. In September 2017, the rumors were officially confirmed when the couple made their first public appearance together at the Invictus Games in Toronto (an event similar to the Paralympics for wounded veterans).

Rumors of Meghan Markle's relationship with Prince Harry emerged in early 2016

Two months later, Buckingham Palace announced Prince Harry's engagement. Meghan met with members of the royal family, and Queen Elizabeth II herself gave the young couple her blessing for the wedding. The couple wed in May 2018.

Many were curious about how Meghan Markle met Prince Harry.

'A mutual friend introduced us – set us up on a blind date. Then we met again in London and went on a double date. Right away, I started thinking about when we could have our third date,' recalled the prince.

The Wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Early 2018 saw the actress diving into wedding preparations. Before the ceremony, she converted from Protestantism to Anglicanism and obtained British citizenship. After the wedding, the couple planned to settle in the royal residence in Nottingham.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first joint interview

On May 19, 2018, millions of people around the world tuned in to watch the royal wedding. "The first African American princess!" Americans celebrated the bride. Meghan Markle's dress was created by Givenchy's artistic director Clare Waight Keller. The bride kept her look simple with minimal jewelry: stud earrings and a Cartier bracelet, plus a 1932 tiara borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II. The groom's attire was traditional – the uniform of the guards regiment.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Wedding Outfits

By royal standards, the wedding was modest – just 600 guests, with no politicians, no foreign royals, and only a few global celebrities. The newlyweds were honored by the presence of the Beckhams, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, and Idris Elba. Prime Minister Theresa May was not invited (she congratulated the couple on Twitter).

Meanwhile, there was no shortage of people eager to catch a glimpse of the ceremony – over 100,000 gathered at Windsor Castle, many camping out for days to secure prime spots. However, the bride's father couldn't attend the most important day of her life due to emergency heart surgery.

After the Wedding, Meghan Markle Became the Duchess of Sussex

As a wedding gift from his grandmother, Harry received the title of Duke of Sussex. Accordingly, Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex after the ceremony. After the ceremony, the newlyweds retreated to their private quarters in Windsor Castle for their first night together. The next morning, the couple left the palace.

The Royal Wedding by the Numbers

200 lemons were used for the wedding cake
5 meters of silk were needed for the bride's veil
10 page boys served at the wedding
175 years since the death of the last Duke of Sussex
7 charities received donations from the couple in honor of the wedding
5,000 members of the press were accredited for the event

Life After the Wedding

Just months after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, the royal family announced the exciting news that the Duchess of Sussex was expecting. Their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on May 6, 2019.

On June 4, 2021, the couple welcomed their second child – daughter Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Named after her great-grandmother (Lilibet was Queen Elizabeth's nickname), she was born in California, at the Santa Barbara clinic. The couple chose to settle in California, near Meghan's hometown of Los Angeles, after their first child was born.

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and their babies

In early 2020, the couple made the decision to step back from their royal duties and give up financial support. According to sources, Harry couldn't stand the constant media attention and invasive paparazzi who "once destroyed his mother and now torment his wife." In March 2021, Harry and Meghan gave a two-hour interview to Oprah Winfrey, their first television appearance since stepping down as senior royals. The interview sent shockwaves through the public, with media outlets calling it "devastating" for Buckingham Palace. Meghan faced relentless attacks from tabloids and people in her circle, with the royal family offering no protection from the moment her engagement began.

Oprah Winfrey Interview With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

During her pregnancy, Meghan revealed that Buckingham Palace had serious concerns about her baby's skin color. Ultimately, Prince Harry felt compelled to take the most drastic measures:

Our decision to step back from royal duties wasn't a surprise to the family – before making it official, I spoke three times with the Queen and twice with my father, Prince Charles. Eventually, he stopped taking my calls when I decided to take matters into my own hands. I had to do this for my wife and son. Once we stepped back, we lost our security detail and financial support. We lived on what I inherited from my mother. We signed deals with Spotify and Netflix.

The couple first moved to Canada, then relocated to Los Angeles. Meghan and Harry attended Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022, but she chose to skip King Charles's coronation, staying home with the children instead.

Meghan Markle Now

In late 2022, Netflix released the documentary series "Harry & Meghan," which dramatically boosted the couple's finances – reportedly earning them $100 million. The series chronicles how the couple met, featuring never-before-seen photos and videos.

Harry & Meghan. Trailer

Meanwhile, Meghan found herself in a legal battle with her half-sister Samantha. Samantha sued Meghan, accusing her of lying. In her Oprah interview, Meghan claimed she grew up poor and worked low-paying jobs from age 13. However, Samantha argues that their father funded Meghan's education at elite schools, university, and acting classes. Samantha sought $75,000 in damages for defamation, but the court sided with Meghan.

Maxine Cole

Beauty Megan, I think she is always perfect!

2021-05-14 17:47:57
Shirley Mitchell

I found out about Markle only when he contacted the prince, and then I did not immediately find out that she was an actress. Who will name a good film with her? :)

2021-04-12 13:28:00
Nathaniel Aiden Richardson

This is what happens when the blood of the dark and the whites is mixed to create beautiful people like Megan. And now it will mix with redheads so it will not be clear at all what.

2021-04-09 15:39:57
Robert Nicholas Perry

She took a bite of course a huge piece of cake from the royal crown of Great Britain. Moreover, she made the prince give up all the goodies.

2021-04-04 11:52:42
Jennifer Flores

She is so cool, it was not for nothing that the prince chose her. But there are so many scandals around them...

2021-01-17 11:51:10

Photos: Meghan Markle