Meghan Markle Biography Meghan, Duchess of Sussex born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, is an American member of the British royal family, former actress, and media personality. 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 after attending Northwestern University. She is best known for portraying Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits from 2011 to 2018. During this time, Meghan also gained a significant social media following, particularly through her lifestyle blog, The Tig (2014–2017). She became increasingly involved in charity work, focusing on women’s rights and social justice causes. Meghan was previously married to American film producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2014 before they divorced.
Meghan Markle Biography
Rachel Meghan Markle, born on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, is an American-born member of the British royal family and a former actress. Of mixed-race heritage, Meghan began acting while studying at Northwestern University, landing small roles in television and film. She gained widespread recognition for portraying Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits from 2011 to 2017. Known for her outspoken feminist views, Meghan addressed issues of gender inequality, with her lifestyle blog The Tig featuring a column on influential women. In addition to her acting career, she was involved in humanitarian work, representing international charities, and was celebrated for her fashion, even launching a clothing line in 2016. Meghan was married to actor and producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 until their divorce in 2014. In 2017, she became engaged to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, and moved to London.
Meghan Markle Biography Details
| 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) |
| Category | Singers Bio |
About Meghan Markle
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is an American member of the British royal family, media personality and former actress. She is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the younger son of King Charles III. Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her acting career began at Northwestern University.
- Born: 4 August 1981 (age 43 years), Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Spouse: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (m. 2018), Trevor Engelson (m. 2011–2014)
- Parents: Thomas Markle, Doria Ragland
- Great-grandparents: Steven Ragland, Isaac Thomas Markle ·
- Height: 68 m
Early Life and Education
Meghan Markle was born at West Park Hospital in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California. She identifies as biracial, with a Caucasian father, Thomas Markle Sr., and an African American mother, Doria Ragland. Her parents separated when she was two years old, and divorced four years later. Meghan has always shared a strong bond with her mother, who raised her after the separation while her father continued to work in the film industry. Meghan lived with her father full-time from the age of nine until she left for university at eighteen.
She grew up in the View Park–Windsor Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles and attended the Hollywood Little Red Schoolhouse. At the age of eleven, Meghan and her classmates wrote to Procter & Gamble to advocate for a gender-neutral dishwashing soap commercial. Raised in a Christian household, Meghan has mentioned conflicting reports about whether her upbringing was Catholic or Protestant.
What was Meghan Markle’s net worth before marrying Prince Harry?
Before marrying Prince Harry, Meghan had built a successful career of her own. She was worth an estimated $5 million, primarily from her acting career. Meghan starred in over 100 episodes of the legal drama Suits, earning around $50,000 per episode towards the end of her role. She also made about $360,000 from her roles in Remember Me and The Candidate (both 2010), and earned approximately $80,000 annually from her lifestyle blog, The Tig, along with sponsorships and endorsements.
What was Prince Harry’s net worth before marrying Meghan Markle?
In 2018, Prince Harry’s net worth was estimate to be between $25 million and $40 million, with significant contributions from inheritances from his late mother, Princess Diana, and great-grandmother, the Queen Mother. Additionally, Harry earned $50,000 a year from his service in the British Army.
What was Meghan Markle’s net worth as a royal?
When Meghan became the Duchess of Sussex in May 2018, her net worth was combine with Harry’s, contributing to a total of $25 million to $40 million.
What is Meghan’s net worth now that she is no longer a senior royal?
Since stepping back from royal duties, Meghan and Harry’s combine net worth remains around $60 million, despite no longer being fund by the Sovereign Grant, which covered some of their household expenses. The Sussexes also had to repay £2.4 million ($3 million) in UK taxpayer money spent on renovations at Frogmore Cottage. Their $14.65 million Santa Barbara home was financed with a $9.5 million mortgage. In addition, they have been pursuing paid speaking engagements through the Harry Walker Agency, with fees estimated around $1 million per speech. Unfortunately, the couple had to relinquish the “Sussex Royal” brand, which could have been a major source of income.
How much did Meghan Markle earn from Suits?
Meghan reportedly made $50,000 per episode of Suits in the later seasons, with her total earnings from the show estimated at around $2 million.
Does Meghan Markle get royalties from Suits?
Yes, Meghan likely continues to receive residual payments from reruns and streaming platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix.
How much did Meghan Markle make from The Bench?
Meghan likely receive a $700,000 advance for her children’s book The Bench, which was release in June 2021.
How much did Prince Harry earn for his book?
Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, was report to have a book deal worth at least $20 million.
How much did Meghan Markle make on Deal or No Deal?
Meghan earn $800 per episode for her work as a briefcase model on Deal or No Deal, where she appear in more than 30 episodes.
How much did Meghan Markle get paid for Elephant?
For her narration of the Disney documentary Elephant, Meghan was compensate with a sizable donation made to the charity Elephants Without Borders.
Did Meghan Markle get paid for her Oprah interview?
No, Meghan and Harry did not receive payment for their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, which was confirmed during the interview itself.
How much did Spotify pay Meghan Markle?
In 2020, Meghan and Harry signed a $20 million exclusive podcast deal with Spotify for their Archetypes series, which launched in 2022. However, in 2023, they part ways with Spotify, and it’s unclear how much of the $20 million they had receive.
How much did Netflix pay Harry and Meghan?
The Sussexes signed a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix reportedly worth around $150 million, although their role as producers likely resulted in a smaller paycheck compared to content creators like Shonda Rhimes or Ryan Murphy. Their deal is believed to have funded the repayment of Frogmore Cottage renovations.
What is Meghan Markle’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Meghan and Harry’s combine net worth is reportedly $60 million.