Meghan Markle

ABOUT

Meghan Markle, born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress, humanitarian, and the Duchess of Sussex. She rose to worldwide fame after her marriage to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in 2018. Known for her advocacy on gender equality and social justice, Meghan has continuously leveraged her platform to address critical societal issues.

BEFORE FAME

Before her royal engagements, Meghan pursued a career in acting. She grew up in Los Angeles, where she was exposed to the entertainment industry early on, thanks to her father, Thomas Markle, who worked as a lighting director. Meghan attended Northwestern University, where she studied theater and international studies. Her breakthrough role came in 2011 when she was cast as Rachel Zane on the legal drama TV series "Suits". She played the character for seven seasons and earned acclaim for her performance.

TRIVIA

• Meghan is a talented calligrapher and taught calligraphy, bookbinding, and gift-wrapping to support herself between acting jobs.
• In 2016, she founded the lifestyle blog "The Tig," which showcased her love for food, travel, and fashion. She shut down the website in 2017 ahead of her engagement to Prince Harry.
• Meghan has a mixed-race heritage, which she openly discusses, crediting it as a major influence on her identity and outlook on life.
• She has guest-edited British Vogue's September issue in 2019, focusing on women and advocacy.

FAMILY LIFE

Meghan is the daughter of Thomas Markle Sr., an Emmy Award-winning lighting director, and Doria Ragland, a social worker and yoga instructor. She has two half-siblings from her father's previous marriage, though her relationships with them have been notably strained. Meghan married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, in a globally televised ceremony at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The couple welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on May 6, 2019, and their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, on June 4, 2021.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Through her marriage, Meghan became associated with the British Royal Family and has worked with numerous charitable organizations as a result. She and Prince Harry stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2020 and have since moved to California. They have since launched "Archewell," a non-profit organization focusing on compassionate community service. Meghan has been publicly supported by various notable figures such as Serena Williams and Oprah Winfrey, and she remains a highly influential figure in both the realms of philanthropy and entertainment.