Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Rachel Meghan Markle is an American actress, media personality, and entrepreneur who became a member of the British royal family through her marriage to Prince Harry. She currently resides in the United Kingdom after relocating from California in August 2026. Her public profile combines high-profile acting roles with significant influence in philanthropy and lifestyle branding.

Markle first gained widespread recognition for her seven-year run as Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits, which aired from 2011 to 2018. Beyond acting, she built a digital empire with her lifestyle blog The Tig before launching the Archewell Foundation and her own production company. In recent years, she has expanded into entrepreneurship with her cooking brand As Ever and continues to produce content through her partnership with Netflix. [edit]

Meghan was born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California. Her early life was marked by a multicultural upbringing; her father, Thomas Markle, worked as a lighting director for television shows like General Hospital, while her mother, Doria Ragland, was a social worker. The couple divorced when Meghan was young, and she spent much of her childhood moving between Los Angeles and various locations where her father worked.

She attended Northridge High School, where she served as a cheerleader and played basketball. Later, she enrolled at Northwestern University, graduating in 2003 with a degree in theater and international studies. During her college years, she honed her acting skills and even worked as a junior agent at William Morris Endeavor. Before landing her breakthrough role, she took small parts in television series such as General Hospital and The Young and the Restless. She also launched her blog The Tig in 2014, using it to discuss social justice and wellness topics while continuing to audition for film and television roles. [edit]

Her career trajectory shifted dramatically in 2011 when she was cast as Rachel Zane in the USA Network series Suits. She remained a main cast member for seven seasons until the show concluded in 2018, becoming one of the most recognizable faces on television. Parallel to her acting work, she ran The Tig from 2014 to 2017, establishing herself as a voice for women's issues and social causes.

In January 2020, Meghan and Prince Harry announced their decision to step back from senior royal duties, a move widely known as "Megxit." They relocated to Montecito, California, and founded Archewell Inc., a hybrid organization focused on philanthropy and entertainment. Their post-royal career included a multi-year production deal with Netflix, resulting in the documentary series Harry & Meghan (2022) and the children's book The Bench (2023). In April 2025, she launched her lifestyle and cooking brand As Ever and starred in the series With Love, Meghan. As of August 2026, the couple has returned to the UK, where Meghan continues her work with Archewell and explores new acting opportunities despite some casting controversies. [edit]

Meghan is often portrayed as a modern, progressive figure who challenges traditional norms. Her style is characterized by chic, minimalist fashion, often featuring sustainable brands. Media coverage has been polarized, with supporters viewing her as a trailblazer for women's rights and mental health awareness, while critics have accused her of being out of touch with royal traditions. Her social media voice is generally positive, focusing on family, charity, and empowerment. [edit]

iFANN has not yet collected fame data for this person. While there is no single, officially designated fandom name documented in iFANN records, her supporters are often referred to collectively as "Meghanites" or simply "Meghan fans." The fanbase is highly organized, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where they engage in campaigns supporting her charitable causes and defending her against media criticism. Notable fan projects include birthday billboards in Los Angeles and London, and charity drives in her name. Fans often cite her advocacy for mental health and gender equality as key reasons for their support. [edit]

Meghan's middle name, Rachel, honors her father's first wife, Donna Ryan. Before pursuing acting full-time, she worked as a junior agent at the talent agency William Morris Endeavor. She is a trained dancer who performed in stage productions during her time at Northwestern University. A lifelong vegetarian, she has frequently advocated for plant-based diets through her writing and public speaking engagements. Interestingly, she was a cheerleader at Northridge High School and played basketball at Westlake High School before attending university. [edit]

Meghan is the daughter of Thomas Markle, a former television lighting director, and Doria Ragland, a social worker. She has an older half-sister, Samantha Markle, and a younger half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr. Her relationship with her sister Samantha has been publicly strained over the years due to disagreements regarding privacy and family dynamics. Meghan married Trevor Engelson in 2011, but they divorced in 2014. She currently lives with her husband, Prince Harry, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. The family maintains residences in both the United States and the United Kingdom. [edit]

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Prince William, Prince of Wales; Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales; Oprah Winfrey; Tina Brown; Guy Ritchie. [edit]

Meghan's romantic history includes two confirmed marriages. Her first serious relationship was with film producer Trevor Engelson. They met while attending Northwestern University and became engaged in 2011. The couple married in October 2011 but separated shortly after and filed for divorce in 2014. No children were born from this union. Following her divorce, Meghan began dating Prince Harry in 2016 after meeting through mutual friends. They announced their engagement in November 2017 and married on May 19, 2018, at Windsor Castle. The couple welcomed two children: Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in May 2019 and Lilibet "Lili" Mountbatten-Windsor in June 2021. As of August 2026, they remain married while navigating a complex period of relocation and career shifts. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Meghan's net worth at approximately $96 million. This figure reflects the combined value of her Netflix production deal, real estate holdings, and business ventures. Her five-year agreement with Netflix, valued around $150 million, remains a primary income source alongside earnings from her book royalties and the As Ever brand. The couple owns a home in Montecito purchased for $8.75 million in 2020, along with additional properties in Portugal and London. As of 2026, her wealth is managed through Archewell Inc., which oversees her philanthropic and commercial activities. [edit]

Meghan has not won major competitive industry awards like Oscars or Emmys. However, she received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author in 2023 for The Bench and the Women's Media Center's Visionary Award in 2019 for her advocacy work. [edit]