Meghan, Duchess of Sussex born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, is an American member of the British royal family and a former actress. She is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the younger son of King Charles III. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Meghan began her acting career at Northwestern University. She is best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the American TV legal drama Suits, where she starred for seven seasons (2011–2018). During this time, Meghan also gained a social media following through her lifestyle blog, The Tig (2014–2017), where she focused on women’s issues and social justice. Prior to her marriage to Prince Harry, she was married to American film producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2014.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Biography 2025
In 2018, Meghan retired from acting upon her marriage to Prince Harry, adopting the title of Duchess of Sussex. The couple has two children, Archie and Lilibet. In January 2020, Meghan and Harry stepped down from their roles as working royals, relocating to Southern California. They founded Archewell Inc., a mix of for-profit and non-profit ventures. In March 2021, the couple made headlines with an interview on Oprah with Meghan and Harry, and Meghan has since published The Bench, a children’s picture book, and launched the podcast Archetypes. In December 2022, Meghan and Harry starred in the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan.
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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Biography 2025
Born
Rachel Meghan Markle
August 4, 1981 (age 43)
Los Angeles, California, US
Spouses
Trevor Engelson
(m.2011; div.2014)
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
(m.2018)
Issue
Prince Archie of Sussex
Princess Lilibet of Sussex
House
Windsor (by marriage)
Father
Thomas Markle Sr.
Mother
Doria Ragland
Alma mater
Northwestern University
Occupation
Actress
Years active
2001–2017 (actress)
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Early Life
Meghan Markle was born in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, to Doria Ragland, an African American former makeup artist, and Thomas Markle Sr., a Caucasian television lighting director and director of photography. Her parents separated when she was two and divorced four years later. Meghan has described her relationship with her mother as close, while she became estranged from her father and paternal half-siblings in later years.
Growing up in View Park–Windsor Hills, Los Angeles, Meghan attended Hollywood Little Red Schoolhouse and later Immaculate Heart High School, a Catholic all-girls school. During her high school years, she was involved in plays and musicals, and her father assisted with lighting. Meghan worked various part-time jobs, including at a frozen yogurt shop and as a waitress and babysitter, and volunteered at a soup kitchen in Los Angeles.
In 1999, Meghan was admitted to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She also volunteered with the Glass Slipper Project and secured an internship as a junior press officer at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires. Though she initially considered a career in politics, she did not pass the Foreign Service Officer Test and returned to Northwestern. Meghan graduated in 2003 with a double major in theater and international studies from the School of Communication.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Bio
Category
Details
Birth Name
Rachel Meghan Markle
Date of Birth
August 4, 1981
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, California, US
Parents
Thomas Markle Sr. and Doria Ragland
Schooling
Immaculate Heart High School, Northwestern University
Degrees
Double major in Theater and International Studies
Acting Career Highlights
Year
Project
Role
2002–2006
Various TV shows
Guest roles
2006–2007
Deal or No Deal
“Briefcase Girl”
2011–2018
Suits
Rachel Zane
2010–2011
Horrible Bosses
Jillian
Meghan Royal Title and Marital Status
Category
Details
Title
Duchess of Sussex
Marriage
Prince Harry (Married 2018)
Children
Archie (born 2019), Lilibet (born 2021)
Major Public Engagements
Date
Event
Location
2017
World AIDS Day Walkabout
Nottingham, UK
2018
Commonwealth Day Service
Westminster Abbey, UK
2019
Southern African Tour
Malawi, Angola, Botswana
Media and Public Perception
Incident
Public Reaction
Oprah Interview (2021)
Polarizing views on Meghan’s experience in the royal family
Criticism of Private Jet Use
Environmental backlash
Media Coverage of Archie’s Birth
Positive and supportive coverage
Meghan Advocacy Work
Issue
Details
Women’s Empowerment
Focus on gender equality and women’s rights
Mental Health Awareness
Advocacy for mental health and wellness
Paid Family Leave
Advocacy for paid leave in the U.S.
Meghan Political Involvement
Event
Action
2016 U.S. Election
Supported Hillary Clinton
2020 Election
Encouraged voter registration
Supreme Court Nomination
Supported Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination
Meghan Charitable Initiatives
Organization
Cause
Archewell Foundation
Mental health, women’s rights, community empowerment
The Tig
Lifestyle blog advocating for social justice
Meghan Media Ventures
Project
Platform
Harry & Meghan
Netflix (Documentary series)
The Bench
Book (Children’s book)
Archetypes Podcast
Spotify (Cultural commentary)
Meghan Public Appearances
Date
Appearance
2018
Royal Wedding at St.
Meghan Duchess of Sussex Net Worth
Meghan Duchess of Sussex, have amassed a combined net worth of around £48 million.
Meghan Duchess of Sussex Summary
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is an American-born member of the British royal family, married to Prince Harry. She had a successful acting career, most notably in the TV series Suits, before stepping away from acting after her marriage. Together with Harry, she stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and now focuses on philanthropic work through their organization, Archewell. Meghan has been outspoken on social issues like gender equality, mental health, and political matters. She is also an author, podcast host, and has produced media content alongside Harry.
