Meghan Markle, born August 4, 1981, is an American actress and the Duchess of Sussex. She is known for both her tenure on the television series Suits and for being a former working member of the British Royal Family. In recent years, she has been praised for her openness about her mental health issues but also criticized for accusations she leveled against the monarchy.
Meghan Markle Early Life
Meghan Markle grew up in Los Angeles with her mother, Doria Ragland, and father, Thomas Markle. Although her parents divorced when she was still young, they remained very active in her life. Meghan graduated from the all-girls Roman Catholic School Immaculate Heart High School in 1999, going on to study theater at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
At a young age, she was introduced to the world of show business when her father, an Emmy award-winning lighting director, brought her with him to the set.
Meghan Markle Acting Career
Markle had her first acting job on the television game show Deal or No Deal, where she worked as a briefcase girl. The gig opened the door to the industry, and following Deal or No Deal, Meghan scored minor roles in films such as Get Him to the Greek and Remember Me. She also appeared in the television series General Hospital.
Success on Suits
In 2011, Markle scored her biggest and most prominent acting job to date, as the paralegal Rachel Zane on the television series Suits. The show became a major hit in the US, and Megan stayed on it for 108 episodes across seven seasons.
Meghan Markle Royal Life & Exit
Markle officially became the Duchess of Sussex when she married Prince Harry in 2018. The couple had dated for a little more than two years before they tied the knot, making Markle a member of the Royal Family in the process. However, a little less than two years after their wedding, Harry and Meghan decided to step back from their royal roles, leaving the monarchy for a new life in the US.
A little more than a year after their royal exit, Meghan and her husband sat down with Oprah Winfrey for the infamous interview wherein they accused the Royal Family of many things, racism included. The Duchess explained how she didn't receive any support for her mental health struggles and that she had been told never to speak with the media. The Royal Family has not commented on any claims made by Harry or Meghan.
Although many took her side, later, Meghan also faced a lot of controversy, as some claimed she only spoke out because she profited from revealing details about the Royal Family.
Markle Family
Meghan Markle is married to Prince Harry. They have two children together, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Meghan doesn't have any full siblings but two half-siblings. Her father, Thomas, had two children from her previous marriage to Roslyn Markle: Thomas Markle Jr. and Samantha Markle.
How rich was Meghan Markle before Harry?
Meghan Markle had a thriving acting career before she met Harry and turned to her royal duties instead. She was said to have had a net worth of $5 million before she met the prince. Meghan earned $50,000 per episode on Suits during her seven seasons on the show and a total of $360,000 from roles in films such as Remember Me, Horrible Bosses, and the short film The Candidate.
What did Meghan change on Archie's birth certificate?
Meghan Markle gave birth to Prince Archie in 2019. At first, his birth certificate stated that his mother's name was "Rachel Meghan," but just weeks later, it was changed to "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex."